One of the area’s largest summer community events will take place this weekend at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

The 2015 Freeborn County Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event of the year and draws cancer survivors and the community together to raise awareness about cancer and support for research.

Money raised goes to research, clinical trials, a call center for patients, a visitation program for breast cancer patients and lodging for patients undergoing treatment at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, among others.

In previous years, the event has raised well over $100,000, and Freeborn County’s relay has received national recognition for its amount of money raised.

If you have never been there before, consider going out this year to show your support to your fellow Freeborn County residents who are battling or who have overcome cancer.

Hundreds of local residents sign up for the relay each year, and it should be the same this year.

The opening ceremony starts at 6 p.m. Friday with the luminaria lighting slated for 9 p.m.

Live entertainment will go through the night, as people will take turns walking around a track surrounded by the luminarias. The relay ends at 6 a.m. Saturday.

Let’s come together and honor our loved ones, and do our best to financially support this good cause.