Wings of Hope Day, Sept. 22 | Events

The following is a press release from Wings of Hope:

This year, Wings of Hope Day will start off with a roar. The roar of motorcycle engines will be heard from Laurel to Bay Springs as the America Legion Riders Post 71 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1997 will kick off this year’s Wings of Hope Day with a benefit ride. The ride will begin at Laurel Yamaha at 9:15 a.m. and is open to all riders. Cost of the ride is $15 per rider or $20 if you have a passenger. Proceeds go to the Seth Harris Childhood Cancer Foundation as part of the Wings of Hope Day fundraisers. Riders will roar into the heart of Bay Springs, where they will end their ride to coincide with the beginning of Wings of Hope Day in Smith Park.

Following the ride, Wings of Hope Day 2012 will kick off its lineup of food, fun, activities and information. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and the SHCCF will again display gold ribbons around our city for the entire month leading up to the 22nd. On the 22nd, Wings of Hope Day will begin at Noon and last until 9 p.m. and is sponsored by the Seth Harris Childhood Cancer Foundation to promote childhood cancer awareness. Fun for families, food, entertainment, and local talent will complement information for parents, along with a bone marrow drive for the "Be the Match!" registry as well as a blood drive.

The SHCCF is currently fundraising to help fund improvements to an open air courtyard at Blair E. Batson, Mississippi’s only Children’s Hospital, along with other projects that benefit children and families of children battling with cancer. Several very special local children, who are currently dealing with cancer, will be guests at Wings of Hope Day. The SHCCF will host these families to give them a much needed break from the stress of treatment.

At Wings of Hope Day, expect lots of food that kids and adults will love such as chicken on a stick, hot dogs, cotton candy, Popcorn, sweet tea and more. There will be fun jumps for the kids along with face painting and games. There will be no charge for the entertainment and no charge for games.

Entertainment will include performances by cheerleaders from local cheerleaders and dance groups, Ian Taylor, Waylon Blakeney, the Shelby Kemp Band, Pilot Light, and Muddy Roads. Backroads will perform at 6 pm, followed by Jeff Bates, who will close out the day's entertainment.

Presentations will be made by Dog Trainer Derrell Geddie, of DG's Kennel, and Terry Vandeventer  will host a snake Exhibit.  Paul Meek will have a turkey call display booth and will also host a "Hands On" Turkey Calling instruction class for kids and beginners.  The World’s Largest Motorized Radio Flyer will be present as will The Hooter’s Girls who will be available handing out calendars and posing for photos. Cancer awareness information will be provided by representatives from local and national groups and speakers will share information about symptoms, statistics, services and becoming a bone marrow donor. The City of Bay Springs will sponsor a fireworks display at the close of the day.

Bay Springs’ resident Seth Harris’ journey with cancer started with symptoms that were diagnosed as T-Cell Leukemia on July 25, 2007, at the University Hospital in Jackson. Seth’s battle with Leukemia lasted almost two years. May 31 of 2009, Seth lost his battle with leukemia after complications from his bone marrow transplant.

After Seth’s death, his mother and aunt yearned to channel the energy they had spent working to keep Seth happy and thriving during his illness into a different direction, a direction that would benefit many children. As a result, the Seth Harris Childhood Cancer Foundation was formed and incorporated. The mission of the Seth Harris Childhood Cancer Foundation is to celebrate the life of Seth Harris and to honor his memory, to raise awareness for childhood cancer and to provide informational and emotional support for families of children with cancer, so that no child or family feels alone during this life changing journey.

This year’s Wings of Hope Day coincides with Seth’s mom’s 40th birthday and Seth’s Foundation Volunteers would love to help her feel the support of Seth’s community on this special day, as we all work together to benefit children with cancer.

For more information, to sponsor or to donate, contact Rhonda at (601)764-7421. Vendor space is still available. Vendor booths are available for $35. We need crafts, food, clothing, jewelry, knives, collectibles and other vendors to help make Wings of Hope Day a success! Send in your form today! Vendor forms can be found online at www.shccf.org. Wings of Hope Day is in serious need of sponsors. There is still time to be included on this year's Wings of Hope Day T-shirt! Send in your donation today!

For more information or to register for the Ride for Hope Motorcycle Ride, call Matt McCool at 601-670-5163.

Smith Park is located at the Intersection of Hwys 15 and 528, Bay Springs, MS 39422.

Additional  Information and lineup:

Master of Ceremony: Alison Scott Knotts

• 12    Opening remarks
• 12:30     Ian Taylor
• 1:30        Terry Vandeventer
• 2:30        Waylon Blakeney                           
• 3        Shelby Kemp & Group
• 3:30        Pilot Light
• 3:45        Darryl Geddy & Duck Hunting/Dog Demo
• 4:30        Muddy Roads (Rory Dale Holder Band)
• 5:30        Paul Meek/Turkey Call Presentation       
• 6        Back Roads    
• 7:45        Jeff Bates            
• 9        Fireworks Show - Big Pop’s Fireworks, sponsored by the City of Bay Springs

Sound provided by Stagelite Sound – Buck Allman, Hattiesburg