Dancing With the Relay Stars

Talk of the Town - January 2019

The annual Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society has hundreds of participants walking each year.  During this new event, they'll be dancing as well!
- story by Lisa Monti 

What better way to kick off the 2019 Relay for Life campaign than with the inaugural Dancing with the Relay Stars in Hancock County? Expect a unique and entertaining evening with fun and good food, all for a worthy cause. 
 
This new event, hosted by Hancock County Relay for Life and Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, will be Saturday, Jan. 26, in the Hollywood ballroom. 
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Things start at 5 p.m. with a cash bar and silent auction. “After that there is a sit-down dinner provided by Hollywood and then the competition begins,” said Bernie Cullen, Relay Event Co-lead.

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Bernie Cullen (l) at the 2018 Relay for Life event.

She has been busy recruiting amateur dancers to perform in Hancock County’s version of the hugely popular television dancing competition. As of this writing, Bernie has recruited 10 acts who will compete solo acts, dancing couples or groups. (Their identities are a closely held secret but Bernie promises “very eclectic” acts.)

Local judges will critique and score the acts and then award first, second and third place trophies.

“We’ll also have a People’s Choice Award for the crowd favorites,” Bernie said. An award also will be presented to the dancers who sell the most tickets to the event.
 
Bernie said the Dancing with the Relay Stars show is a perfect fit for fun-loving Hancock Countians at the perfect time of year, between the holidays and Mardi Gras.

​“Other Relays around the country have done this and it’s been really successful and a lot of fun. It’s a nice way for people to support Relay, enjoy a nice meal and silent auction. It’s going to be a fun night.”

Even the trophies for this event are all glitz and glam.

And it’s a great way to kickoff the new year for the Relay for Life campaign to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.  “The money raised stays in Hancock County and goes for rides to medical appointments  and other resources that people need,” Bernie said.

​The 2019 Relay for Life will be May 4 at Hollywood Casino’s walking path. In case of inclement weather, the walk will move indoors at the casino.  
 
“Hollywood has been really good partner and so delightful to work with,” Bernie said. As part of its support for Relay for Life, the casino is offering a special $89 hotel room rate for the night of Dancing with the Relay Stars.
Reservations must be made by Jan. 17 using group code ACS0126.

Hollywood Casino

Dancing with the Relay Stars tickets are $75 each or $700 for a table for 10. There is no entry fee for dancers but they are asked to bring a silent auction item and help sell tickets to their friends.
 
Tickets are available at paypal.me/berniecullenor via Venmo @Bernadette-Cullen-1. If you wish to buy tickets to support a dancer, send Bernie the information on PayPal or Venmo or email her at [email protected].
To pay with cash or a check, contact Bernie by email.