The red carpet will be rolled out tonight for the 2016 Pike County Heart Walk and everyone is invited to attend. The annual fundraiser is held in support of the American Heart Association and will be from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Troy Recreation Center.

The highlight of the night’s activities will be the Heart Walk Survivors Lap at 5:20 p.m.

Annette Toney, event co-chair, said everyone is encouraged to come early and celebrate the victories won over heart disease and stroke as the survivors make the first lap of the 2016 Heart Walk.

“The Pike County Heart Walk will continue after the Survivors Walk and continue for about two hours,” Toney said. “We’ll have some great prizes to be awarded to the survivors and for those who compete as walkers. The prizes will be awarded depending on the most laps walked and there will be different tiers of prizes.”

The individual who walks the most laps will win a grill from South Alabama Electric Co-op and a $50 monetary gift card from Troy Bank & Trust Company. Competitors will be required to visit different health stations in addition to making the laps. To be eligible for the prizes, walkers must be present at the time the awards are presented.

A football autographed by Troy University Football Coach Neal Brown will be awarded to the highest bidder in the Heart Walk Silent Auction.

Although the Heart Walk is the main event of the annual fundraiser for the American Heart Association, there will many other things to see and to do.

“All of those who attend the Heart Walk will be invited to enjoy a free heart-healthy meal and then visit the health-related booths that will be set up all around the recreation center,” Toney said. “Troy Regional Medical Center will have booths from its different medical departments and the health and biology departments at Troy University will have booths. We’ll also have a nurse and a personal trainer available to answer health-related questions.”

Troy University football players and women’s basketball players will be special guests at the Heart Walk and will mix and mingle with the crowd. The Pike County High School Jazz Band will be the featured entertainment.

“A kids corner will be set up with different fun activities and we’ll also have a photo booth available where you can take interesting photos,” Toney said. “We’ll have a few Go Red T-shirts for sale and, of course, we’ll all enjoy the fellowship of this great event.”

Toney said Pike County Heart Walk is held annually and for one good reason.”

“‘Life is Why’ we do this,” she said.

“The Pike County Heart Board appreciates everyone who participates in the Heart Walk because these fundraising efforts are making a difference.  Each year thousands of people survive heart attacks and go on to live normal lives. The key to survival is to know the symptoms and to act quickly.

“Through education and research more lives are being saved every day. ‘Life is Why’ we’ll walk tonight. We hope everyone will come walk with us.”