HCFC block party schedule has been released
HANCOCK COUNTY — Teams for Hancock County Fights Cancer are ready for the 2022 HCFC Block Party on Saturday, June 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hancock County Courthouse lawn.
This year’s event is at an earlier time and joins the Strawberry Strut and Strut Around the Block on the square that morning. The block party celebrates cancer survivors, honors those who have suffered cancer, and unites the community to raise money for cancer research and to help local people being treated for cancer. It promises fun for those who gather.
Last year the event raised over $39,000. Again this year, proceeds will be split with 60 percent going to HUGS of Hancock County and 40 percent going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Cancer survivors are invited to sign up in advance on the HCFC website, if possible, or come early that day and check in before 11:30 a.m. to be part of the 12:30 p.m.ceremony honoring survivors.
Pre-show events include music, food and vendors on the south side of the square beginning around 9 a.m. Following Strawberry Strut awards at around 10:30 a.m. there will announcements, and the first stories about Hancock County survivors.
The Mississippi Rat Pak Car Club car show begins setting up at 11 a.m. Cars will be lined up on both sides of Wabash Street on the south side of the square, with the street closed for safe, easy viewing of the cars.
Prizes are given in many categories. Winners are chosen by visitors who donate money in the jars. All funds collected go to Hancock County Fights Cancer.
The event opens at 11:15 a.m. with welcoming comments by HCFC and HUGS, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem sung by Maureen Crawford and opening prayer by Pastor Jerome Lee.
Cloggers from Celebration School of Dance will provide entertainment at 11:30 a.m. and piano students of Joanne Dierks will perform at 12 noon.
At 12:30 p.m. John Huston, featured as “Rocky,” will lead recognition of cancer survivors and highlight stories of cancer champions. HCFC teams will be introduced following the survivors
The entertainment continues at 1 p.m. with Sara Stinemates on guitar. Local shops will present the Strut Fashion Show at 1:30 p.m. featuring Belle’s Loft, Rural Bliss, Whispering Willows, and Bear Creek Creations, with adults, teens and toddlers as models.
Back by popular demand is a men’s high heel “Strut Your Silly Stuff” event, at 2 p.m., planned by the Hancock County Health Department. This combines cancer information and good-natured fun. Check with Melita Finney at 217-357-2171 to sign up.
Names of people honored with Hearts of Hope will be read by Steve Evans and Jennifer Garner at 2:30 p.m.
Hearts of Hope will line the edge of the courthouse lawn. These can be purchased in honor of a cancer survivor, someone currently battling cancer or in memory of a cancer victim. They are available now for $5 each at Marine or Fortress Bank in Carthage or can be bought up through 1:30 p.m. during the block party.
At 3 p.m. is the event wrap-up. Winners will be announced from the car show, silent auction, 50-50 drawing and other team events.
There are many Hancock County Fights Cancer teams working now and some during the block party with special ways to raise money. The Republican Women team will be selling strawberry pie, strawberry shortcake and ice cream. Fortress Bank is selling strawberry cookies.
Each team will donate an item for the silent auction. Some of these include a Splashing in Summer basket, St. Jude basket, Pampered Chef items, a breast cancer wind chime, a Scentsy basket, and more.
The Wilson-Wetzel 1949 Ford pick will be on the square, first to lead runners in the Strawberry Strut, and then for a photo option for families.
Food is available all day at Sly Fox, kettle corn and items for sale at some of the team tables. More vendors will be set up on the square as part of the Strawberry Strut and HCFC Block Party. Sound service is provided by Deb and Curtis Wilhite.
Hancock County Fights Cancer is a not-for-profit organization that formed to raise money that will help people of the county with financial needs as they are treated for cancer, and to support cancer research.
To learn more about HUGS, call Florine Dixon at 217-219-0084. For more information on the HCFC event, call Kris Pilkington at 217-357-3986 or Cynthia Stewart at 217-357-8563.
Hancock County Fights Cancer
2022 Block Party Schedule
Pre-party events
9-10 a.m. – Music provided by Wilhite Sound and Light
Vendors on the square
10:15 a.m. – Strawberry Strut Awards
10:30 a.m. – Announcements about HCFC Block Party
10:45 a.m. – Experiences of Hancock County cancer survivors/ music
11:00 a.m. – Registration for Mississippi Rat PaK Car Show
HCFC Block Party events
11:15 a.m. – Pledge of Allegiance by young children
National Anthem by Maureen Crawford
Opening prayer by Jerome Lee
Welcome by Kris Pilkington, Cynthia Stewart, HUGS board
11:30 a.m. – Entertainment by Celebration School of Dance Cloggers
12 Noon – Entertainment by piano students of Joan Dierks
12:30 p.m. – Rocky welcomed, celebration of survivors
Introduction of HCFC teams
1:00 p.m – Entertainment by Sara Stinemates
1:30 p.m. – Strut Fashion Show, adults and toddler models (fashions by Belle’s Loft, Rural Bliss,
Whispering Willows, Bear Creek Creations)
2:00 p.m. – Hog/processing auction
Health Dept. High Heel Race
2:30 p.m. – Hearts of Hope Ceremony
3:00 p.m. – Winners, announcements, closing remarks
This article originally appeared on The McDonough County Voice: Block party schedule released
