Final preparations are being made for the annual American CancerSociety’s Relay for Life, set for May 2 and 3 in Brookhaven.

Captains from the more than 20 participating teams gatheredWednesday for their final meeting to discuss the setup andschedule.

“We’re almost ready to get it kicked off,” said Beth Owens,community representative with the American Cancer Society.

Owens and other event organizers informed captains of where theyshould set up their tents on May 2, beginning at 7 a.m., just hoursbefore the event begins that night.

Some changes from last year will be a main concession area forteams to sell hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos and other basic fooditems. The teams participating in the concession stand will splitthe profits. Teams will still be allowed to sell other food anddrink items from their tents.

Also this year, each team will host one of the events during the12-hour relay. Events include a hoola hoop contest, midnight snack,best hat contest, horse stick race and dirty tennis shoecontest.

Another change from last year will involve the luminary bagsplaced around the track in honor of and in memory of cancerpatients.

“We’re still going to line the track with bags, but our goal isto have the luminaries on a set of bleachers,” said Owens.

Luminaries are still on sale and can be purchased from any team.Tickets for the Exchange Club rides are also available for $10 eachin advance or during the Relay. Rides will be open from 7-10 p.m.,May 2, with unlimited rides for ticket holders.

One Family United has created their own type of luminaries torecognize cancer patients. They are selling clouds, decorated bythose who buy them, to place around their tent.

Captains are encouraged to invite all cancer survivors to theRelay for Life. Survivors will receive a meal at 6 p.m., May 2, aswell as a t-shirt and medallion.

“We had a good many last year,” said Owens. “We want to makesure to recognize and honor the survivors because they are thereason we’re doing this.”

This year’s event is being held in memory of Voncille Allen andMary Wallace.

Owens also asked captains to turn in their money at bank night,scheduled for 5-7 p.m., Tuesday at Union Planters. Captains canpick up their team’s shirts at that time.