Ask Mr. Answer Person: "Why are there purple ribbons on the lightposts in Decorah?"

A decorahnews.com reader asks, "Why are there purple ribbons tied around the light posts in Decorah?  We drove into town and saw the ribbons up on Mechanic Street and Water Street."

Mr. Answer Person says, "The Winneshiek County Relay for Life will be held this coming Saturday, starting at 3:00 p.m., at the Decorah Viking Stadium.

In advance of the event, Mayor Don Arendt has signed a proclamation declaring this week as Relay For Life Week in Decorah.  In addition to the official proclamation, the City of Decorah has granted permission for the American Cancer Society to tie purple bows on Water Street and Mechanic Street.

Relay for Life volunteer Megan McWilliams, the tobacco prevention coordinator at Helping Services for Northeast Iowa, said, "We encourage private citizens and businesses alike to decorate homes or store windows with a purple display, insert a purple light on your front porch, and tie purple ribbons around trees in your neighborhood in celebration of Relay For Life Week."  Additionally, the Relay For Life committee asks that businesses and residents wear purple on Saturday, the day of the Relay.
   
Relay For Life celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers, remembers loved ones lost to the disease, and empowers individuals and communities to fight back against cancer.  This year's Relay For Life of Winneshiek County will be held at the Decorah High School Track with opening ceremonies beginning at 3:00 p.m. Saturday.

For more information on the Winneshiek County Relay For Life, contact Teresa Dehning at (563) 419-1069 or visit www.relayforlife.org/winneshiekcountyia