Brave men and women will once again strap on their dancing shoes to raise awareness for cancer research during the second annual Dancing with the Relay Stars of Picayune.

Lisa Lee, one of the event’s leads, said tickets for the show, which will be held on March 12, are selling fast. Tickets cost $50 per person with an option to buy a table of 10 seats for $450.

“We held the first one in the state last year at Southern Char, but this year we moved it to the CentraPlex to accommodate a larger crowd,” Lee said.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life aims to remember the lost, celebrate the people currently battling cancer and finding a cure altogether, according to the American Cancer Society’s website.

The participating couples will dance during the show to raise awareness and money for the cause as well as compete to win the coveted mirror ball trophy. Last year, Sandy Kane Smith and Donna Perkins won the overall award of the night, the judges’ award. The people’s choice award will also be awarded to the couple who raises the most money during their dance.

This year they’re adding another award, which allows each table in the audience to vote on their favorite couple, Lee said.

The dancers competing for the mirror ball trophy include, Faith Hill Cooper, Ted Barze, Melissa Spiers Lumpkin, Alan Lumpkin, Julie Beebe Samples, Jeffery Samples, Raquel Theriot, E. Jae James, Sue Bounds, Lenny Unbehagen, Keghan Odom, Joellyn Marie Berry, Donna Perkins, John Dobson Sr., Brian Perkins, Eleanor Virginia Ogden, Jessica M. Smith, Colby Hawthorne, Carmen Leon, Victor Leon, Gina Ferro Rivero, Derek Turnage, Megan Becnel, Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise, Mechelle Stringfellow Necaise, Sandy Trahan, Scott Giaise, Linda Giaise, Mark Glorioso and Natalie Glorioso.

Old School Eats will cater the food and Cooper Hill Entertainment will provide the musical entertainment. There will also be photography provided by Gloria Travis.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the following locations:

—First National Bank located at 208 W. Canal St.

—Stewart Insurance Agency located at 114 E. Canal St.

—Bre’s Clothing and Accessories located at 113 W. Canal St.

Last year, the dance raised $10,000 and Lee hopes to raise more this year in order to benefit cancer research.

This year’s theme is lighting the torch of hope: faster, higher and stronger.

“We’re doing the Olympics-theme based on the Olympics that’s happening this year,” Lee said. Adding, “People in our community are affected by cancer in some way. Our goal is to ultimately find a cure for cancer.”

Picayune’s Relay for Life event will be held on May 14 from 4 p.m. to midnight at Jack Read Park.

This is the local group’s 21^st year participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Lee said.

Other Relay for Life events will be announced at a later date.

For more information about the upcoming events, contact Lee at 601-394-8453.