The Cole County community remembered and honored those taken by cancer and those who have survived the disease at the Cole County Relay for Life Friday night at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds.
Laura Lindsey, publicity chair for the event, said the 2014 Cole County Relay for Life has raised nearly $230,000 - just short of its $250,000 goal.
"But, teams can still turn in money until Aug. 31," she said. "We're still a little bit short, but are confident we can still pull it off."
Money raised by the event funds life-saving cancer research.
This year's Relay theme was a Disney one, titled "Once Upon a Cure."
Lindsey said a highlight of the evening was a Mr. Relay Disney princess contest. Men dressed up as Snow White, Cinderella and other princess and competed for the title of Mr. Relay.
She said the luminaria ceremony, with 1800 lit luminaria, was particularly touching.
"It was a time when the lights were turned off and the music stopped," Lindsey said. "It was a somber moment for people to reflect on those lost and honor those beating cancer."
She said a couple thousand people attended the Relay event.
"The Cole County Relay is one of the biggest in the state," she said. "We're proud of that and we're appreciative of the continued support the community gives us. This has gone on for 18 years and we're thankful for that."