Many people were present to show support of Union’s annual Relay for Life benefit Friday night at Union County Fairgrounds. The American Cancer Society event, which usually starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 7 a.m., was unfortunately called off around 10 p.m. due to a heavy thunderstorm that lasted through the night. Even though undesirable weather shortened the relay, $87,500 was still raised Friday night.

Each of the 32 teams had a fundraising tent that was creatively decorated. Many of the teams sold food and held contests to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Local skydivers landed at the fairgrounds to kick off the event. During the opening ceremony, the Reverend Robert Champman led a prayer and the national anthem was sung by Shantidra Jennings — a rising Union County High School senior and Music GT student.

Cancer survivors gathered for the “Survivor Lap,” which is always the first lap of the relay. “We had the biggest crowd of survivors we’ve ever had,” said Beth Lancaster — Event Chair.

The survivors were led by this year’s celebrity starter — Becky Sanders. Sanders cut the ribbon to begin the Survivor Lap, and she was accompanied by her husband, Paul, who was also her caregiver.

The rain began around 7:30 p.m., and spectators gathered under fundraising tents and in exhibit buildings in hopes that the storm would pass. One-man-band Carl Brunson played through some of the storm, but the event was officially called off around 10 pm.

“I just hate for the teams,” said Lancaster. “We had some really beautiful tents, and all the teams worked really hard.”

The American Cancer Society set a goal of $100,000 for Union County this year, and Lancaster feels that the goal would have been surpassed if the event had not been called off. The deadline is August 31, however, and the teams are not calling it quits yet.

More fundraising is in the planning stages.

“We will be raffling off a $2,000 china hutch donated by Southern Heritage Woodworks,” said Lancaster. “It’s a gorgeous piece of furniture.”

Jim Cole — Nashville recording artist — was only able to get through one song. Cole has promised to return in July to perform a benefit concert at his own expense. The date of the concert will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

Relay for Life t-shirts are also still available at Bantam Chef.

The team awards are usually given out at the end of Relay for Life on Saturday morning.

Since the event was rained out this year, team awards will be issued at the Relay for Life wrap-up — after Aug. 31 — when all the fundraising totals are announced.