DOBSON — Surry Central High School’s carnival to benefit Relay for Life brought together students and members of the community for an afternoon of fun.

From 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, the school’s football stadium took on a life of its own as students and children competed in games including a basketball shoot-out, an obstacle course and relay races all to benefit Relay for life.

The carnival was the brain child of Dena Cave, health occupations teacher, and the school’s HOSA Club. They teamed up with the school’s Booster Club, the basketball teams, the JROTC, the FFA, the SADD Club, the Spanish Club and the Arts Honor Society to host an afternoon of fun. NF52, a local band, also helped out by performing during the event.

The Art Honor Society was in charge of face painting for the event. Among the more common face painting pieces, including a butterfly, Pokemon and a dinosaur, the club also offered the Relay for Life logo and the breast cancer ribbon as potential prototypes.

“We wanted to incorporate art,” said Zachary Wallace of the group’s decision to offer face painting. “Art is a good way of conveying a message.”

The school’s SADD Club also had a table offering some educational information at the carnival. They provided information about the effects of tobacco and its link to cancer.

Two cancer survivors, Alice Owens and Harley Hodges, were honored during the event.

Cave first suggested a dance to raise money, but students thought a carnival might draw more people because it would be open to the entire community and students would not have to dress up for the event.

“We thought if it was something where we could have fun and everybody could come it would be better,” said Cassie Hernandez.

“It’s a good way for our families and the community to come out and have fun,” said Liset Villicana.

The event had concessions, face painting, a basketball shoot-out, an obstacle course, needle in a haystack, corn hole, relays and soccer.

The $5 admission fee to the event and money to pay for concessions and to enter some of the contests will go to benefit Relay for Life. The school raised around $800 for cancer research.

“It’s for cancer awareness and to raise money for Relay for Life and to have fun,” said Hernandez.

Students were actively involved in trying to spread the word about the event. There were announcements at the school at lunchtime and in the morning, and students handed out flyers as well. Cave talked to local radio stations to see if they would make announcements about the event.

Two of the most popular events were the eating contest and the tug-of-war. For the eating contest, there were two rounds. For the first round, contestants had to eat through a plate of whipped cream to find the M&M in the center. For the second round, they had to eat a Twinkie filled with baby food. Some of the students were last minute entries while others had been looking forward to the competition.

Thomas Hernandez said he was most excited about the eating contest.

“I haven’t eaten in two days,” he said of trying to win a gift certificate to the Central Sandwich Shop.

The tug-of-war also drew a crowd. The first match of the day was a three-on-three guys tournament. Once that was over, the winning group of guys put out a challenge to the girls in attendance. The group of three guys said they would take on any 10 girls in attendance. The girls won the competition handily.

Around 100 people attended the carnival, but Cave hopes to have an even bigger turn out in the future.

“It was a good building block and the kids would love to do it again next year,” said Cave. “All-in-all I’m pleased.”

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.