Lights could be seen in the Selma sky Tuesday night as lanterns filled the horizon.

Many gathered at Riverfront Park to rainbow the sky with colorful lanterns in honor or memory of someone who battled cancer.

“I’m out here to represent one of our family friends,” said Johnny Calhoun, a participant in the event. “I wanted to come out and represent.”

Those in attendance had the opportunity to light lanterns and send them sailing up in the sky while remembering those they have lost or honoring those that have lived with the disease.

“It means a lot because it’s sharing with the family as well as friends that the individual is still in our hearts and not forgotten,” Calhoun said.

“It means a lot because it’s showing that they are continuing to try to do something positive for the survivors.”

While people were releasing lanterns into the night sky, names were read to honor those that have either lived with cancer or passed from it.

The money raised from the lanterns will be donated to the American Cancer Society and will further research into a cure for cancer.

“There have been a lot of strides in cancer research here lately and just anything that we can do to help would be progress in the right direction,” said Ronnie Hadden, another participant.

Releasing the lanterns brought back memories for everyone. Some had smiles on their faces as they watched their colorful lantern light up the sky and others had tears as they thought about the loved ones that they have lost.

“You always remember the more special occasions or someone you hear that you know that has cancer. It brings back the hurt and the loss of them and the memory of them,” Hadden said. “Hopefully, this will prevent other people from having to put up with that kind of hurt and pain.”

With the money being donated back to research, many felt it necessary to partake in the event.

“It’s just something that touches all of us,” said Katie Brown Hadden. “It is money that goes back to the American Cancer Society, so that’s one of the reasons [to participate].”

As everyone looked up in awe of the lanterns filling the sky, they had a moment to reflect on their loved ones and really take in the beauty of the event.

“To see the lanterns in the sky was just gorgeous,” said Tina Yelverton, Relay for Life Selma and Dallas County leadership committee chairwoman. “This is a special moment. It’s kind of like a bond that they have shared with the people that have died to cancer and this is a connection back to them.”

Yelverton said the weather was perfect and the event couldn’t have been any better than it was.

“It brings back the memories of the loved ones that have been lost to cancer, but it is also a bonding moment for them to be able to connect back to the people that they have lost,” Yelverton said. “I’m hoping that this is going to be an annual event and that our Relay For Life is going to be the best one ever for Dallas County.”