There are less than two weeks until Relay For Life fills the streets of downtown Clanton on April 27.

In preparation of the event, the Relay For Life of Chilton County committee has released the official schedule of events for the evening — kicking off the event with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. honoring cancer survivors.

Jeannie Smith of the American Cancer Society said she is looking forward to experiencing the changes made to Chilton County’s Relay For Life celebration.

“I’m very excited about our new venue — I think it’s super awesome that we are going to be downtown,” Smith said. “I think it’s awesome that our teams and sponsors and community are going to be able to be more close-knit during the event. And it’s going to be more of a celebration and a little non-traditional than what we are accustomed to at our Relay event.”

Following the survivor lap, singing for the survivor lap and balloon release, emcee Terry Hinton will take the Corner Park stage to welcome guests and initiate an official Opening Ceremony at 6:20 p.m.

Special features to this year’s event will include live music by Holy Destiny, a Kid Zone, which opens at 6:30 p.m., and various performances by community groups.

“There’s nothing more important than the fact of saving lives, but important for our community is just to get a revamp of our Relay For Life here in Chilton and really get people excited about the event,” Smith said.

Chrissy Arnold Harrison, a cancer survivor, will present her story around 8:25 p.m., after which will follow team awards, an Awaken performance by West End Baptist Church, and then the traditional Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m.

Holy Destiny will close out festivities around 10 p.m.

Smith said that she is excited “most of all … that our community is coming together as a whole to support the American Cancer Society, and through this event, we know that we are going to be saving lives.”

Smith said teams can register online at relayforlife.org or at the event.

A full schedule of events can be viewed on the Relay For Life of Chilton County Facebook page.