Kings Mountain Brings Community Together for Tribute Walk and Live Music

2:24 PM EST |June 9, 2025|Lauren Ramsey|Entertainment-Music, Events, Health, News Articles

By: Lauren Ramsey – Wise News Network

Kings Mountain, NC (WNN)— On Saturday, June 7th, 2025, the City of Kings Mountain hosted a live music concert at Patriots Park located at 220 S Railroad Ave, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. The event began with a community Relay for Life walk hosted by the American Cancer Society to celebrate cancer survivors, support caregivers, and remember those we’ve lost. The evening was followed by a performance from Departure, a Journey tribute band.

The History of Relay for Life

The Relay for Life movement started in May 1985, when a man named Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt decided to run and walk around a track in Tacoma, Washington, for 24 hours to raise money to help the American Cancer Society with the nation’s biggest health concern: cancer.

Dr. Gordon Klatt on the track in 1985. Photo from ACSResources.org

Many watched and supported Klatt as he walked and ran more than 83.6 miles. Through pledges, he raised $27,000 to help save lives from cancer. As he went along the track, he thought about how to get others to participate in the movement. He pictured having teams participate in a 24-hour fundraising event. The following year, 19 teams participated in the first Relay for Life event at the Stadium Bowl in Tacoma, Washington, where they raised $33,000.

Dr. Gordy’s idea grew in the U.S. and turned into the biggest fundraising event for the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life started getting noticed worldwide in just ten years, leading to the Global Relay For Life movement. The first-ever Global Relay happened in Portsmouth, UK, in 1997, supporting Cancer Research UK.

Now, Global Relay For Life brings together 35 countries, all working towards the same goal: finding a cure for cancer and helping families with their Journey. It also gives cancer organizations around the globe a chance to raise awareness and get more people involved in their countries.

To learn more about how to get involved, Click Here

About the Event

The City invited the American Cancer Society to Patriots Park for an evening about remembering and celebrating. It was a time to honor survivors, think of those we’ve lost, and come together as a community to support the ongoing fight against cancer.

“It’s a live music concert, so we have the Tribute to Journey Departure. It starts at 6 p.m. Prior to that, we invited the American Cancer Society, and they are holding a walk for survivors of cancer, caretakers, and also those who have lost their lives to cancer. Said Kings Mountain’s Marketing, Tourism, and Events Manager, Susan Mosk. “We’re going to honor them tonight with a presentation.”

During the evening, the community had the chance to honor their loved ones in several meaningful ways. One way was by buying a Luminary Bag for $10 at the Relay for Life table set up at the park for purchase. Those who purchased a bag wrote a loved one’s name to remember them. After doing so, Relay for Life volunteers set the bags near the front of the stage. The City also gave the community the opportunity to send in photos of their loved ones who had passed on, which were seen on the big screen.

Some of the Luminary Bags that were displayed at Patriots Park In Kings Mountain. June 7th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

“We have the luminary bags, that is a wonderful way to honor somebody by purchasing a luminary bag. We’ve also invited the community to send in photos of their loved ones that will be playing on the big screen in a few minutes. And then, of course, also coming and walking and being a part of it.” said Mosk.

A photo of a loved one with her grandkids on screen at Patriots Park. June 7th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

American Cancer Society Member Gives a Speech

Lee Bogle, the American Cancer Society’s development manager, spoke before joining in a walk to honor those affected by cancer. She shared the heart behind the event and the many resources available to the community.

Lee Bogle speaking on stage at Patriots Park in Kings Mountain. June 7th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

“If you or a loved one have been touched with cancer, the American Cancer Society is here for you. We are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year. We never close.”

Bogle mentioned that the organization provides all sorts of support services, such as free rides to treatment and even housing at Hope Lodge for patients getting care.

“We know that one of the biggest obstacles to treatment is that people can’t access care. And we also have Hope Lodges throughout the country. You have to be 18 or older. You may be familiar with the Ronald McDonald House. This is the same thing for cancer patients. You can stay there free of charge with a caregiver for as long as you need.”

She encouraged everyone to use the American Cancer Society’s services, such as its comprehensive website, cancer.org, and helpline, which can be reached at 1-800-227-2345.

“You’re not gonna call your doctor at 2 a.m. You can call us. That’s what we’re there for locally and nationwide.”

In Closing, Bogle asked attendees to spread the word: “If you learn anything tonight have people reach out to us by using those services. I hate nothing more than finding out from someone after the fact when they say, Oh, I wish I had known. So we’re here.”

A Walk of Remembrance

Following Bogle’s speech, Kings Mountain’s Marketing, Tourism, and Events Manager Susan Mosk, invited attendees to walk around the park to honor those impacted by cancer. Bogle and Mosk walked in the front of the line while Cancer survivors walked behind them, caregivers of those who have cancer walked in the middle, and those who walked in the back of the line walked in memory of someone who passed away from cancer.

Those who participated in the Walk. June 7th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

A Journey Tribute Band Performs

The evening ended with a performance by Departure, a Journey tribute band from Georgia. It was their first time performing at Patriots Park. Their performance was a fun and upbeat celebration where everyone could relax and enjoy the night, especially after a heartfelt moment of remembering and reflecting.

Departure performing on stage at Patriots Park In Kings Mountain. June 7th, 2025. By: Lauren Ramsey (WNN)

The band played some of Journey’s well-known songs, such as “Anyway You Want It,” “Be Good to Yourself,” and “Just the Same Way.” They interacted with the crowd throughout the evening, giving many an experience they will surely remember for a long time.

To learn more about the band you can visit their website Here.

Looking Ahead

This event was a celebration of community, strength, and hope. As community members gathered to honor survivors, caregivers, and those we’ve lost, it showed that no one has to face cancer alone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with cancer, you are not alone. Many resources are available to you. Visit cancer.org. You can look up any cancer diagnosis on their website; it can gather information for you. The American Cancer Society is also available to speak to you about anything from clinical trials to rides to treatment and access to free lodging facilities, aka Hope Lodges. You can call their helpline at 1-800-227-2345.