NATCHEZ — Lace your sneakers, grab your bug spray and bring your appetite.

The Miss-Lou Relay for Life kicks off today at 5:15 on the Vidalia Riverfront in the lot next to Promise Hospital.

And it’s not just 12 hours of straight walking, Relay for Life Chairman Janis Holder said.

Between theme laps, hula hoop contests, raffles, treasure hunts and various booths and games at team tents — like Guitar Hero — Relay for Life is about fun, too.

And don’t forget about the food, Holder said.

The fares being served tonight includes crawfish, garlic sausage, smoked and barbecued chicken, ribeye steak sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, funnel cakes and more.

“Plan to eat supper there,” Holder said. “Bring your whole family.”

The weather forecast for today has a high temperature in the low 80s, with temperatures falling to the upper 60s in the evening.

Holder cautions all participants to stay hydrated and bring bug spray.

But the forecast says “partly cloudy,” which Holder said will play to the event’s advantage.

“There’s always a cool breeze blowing on the river, which is why we love having it on the riverfront,” she said, also.

Fifty teams have participated in the 2009 Relay for Life fundraising effort, and 44 teams will have tents on the riverfront tonight, Holder said.

Relay had bank night Tuesday night, and so far $140,000 has been raised.

As of bank night, four teams reported raising more than $10,000.

The money will continue to come in through tonight and will be tallied Saturday morning, Holder said.

The survivor lap begins at 6:30 tonight and.

After the survivor lap, participants will walk for 12 hours.

Survivors attending the survivor’s reception and survivor’s lap can park in the lot underneath the Mississippi River Bridge. A trolley and buses will be transporting survivors and their families to the site.

All other Relay attendees must take Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to John Dale Drive. Turn left and drive over the levee. Vidalia Police officers will be on hand to assist with parking.

Front Street will close to traffic at 7 p.m. south of Riverpark Medical Center.