Freeborn County Relay for Life organizers are encouraging area residents to participate in the annual fight against cancer this weekend for what will be 12 hours of solidarity.

Relay for Life is the signature event of the American Cancer Society, and money raised goes toward cancer researching, raise awareness of cancer prevention and cancer treatment.

Opening ceremonies kick off at 6 p.m. Friday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, with speeches from this year’s honorary caregiver Mary Bartusek, honorary youth co-chairman Marques Kenison, honorary adult co-chairwoman Joey Honsey and a Mayo Clinic doctor.

After the speeches will be the time for the Survivor’s Walk, during which anyone who currently has or who has at any time had cancer takes the first lap around the gravel track at the fairgrounds. Survivors who have not registered can still do so the night of the event.

At the close of the opening ceremonies, a three-night Las Vegas trip for two — donated by Four Seasons Travel, Crossroads Trailers, Fountain Warehouse Liquor and South Minnesota Lube — will also be given away. People can make a free-will donation in exchange for a ticket, and then one ticket will be drawn, said local relay co-chairman Andy Johnson.

From that point on, people from all of the teams will take turns walking through the night and into the next morning.

“I’ve never met one person who has gone there and hasn’t come back,” Johnson said. “Our main goal is just to get people in the door because once they get there, they will want to come back.”

He said the Relay for Life is an inspiring event, where “for one night there’s no differences. Everyone’s there for the same reason.”

Though heat is expected to be a concern, Johnson said there will be plenty of water available for people.

Food this year will include one new addition, plus others vendors from previous years.

New to the relay this year will be a smoked pulled-pork meal, where people can get a smoked pulled-pork barbecue sandwich, a salad, an ear of corn, and a drink for $6.

One hundred percent of the proceeds of the meal go to the relay, as all of the food has been donated.

Jake’s Pizza, Bruno’s, Casa Zamora, Blondie’s Baskets and Merrill’s Popcorn will also be selling food, and Youth for Christ’s The Rock will have miniature doughnuts.

The silent auction, which features many different items such as bikes, guitars and theme park tickets, to name a few, will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

From 6 to 9 p.m., will be a kiddie carnival, including a three-piece obstacle course, a bungee run interactive game, a rainbow slide and a bouncer, to name a few.

Carnival armbands will be available for purchase for $10 each and may be purchased in advance at the Albert Lea Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

There will also be a Cloverleaf Lions ring toss game where people can buy 20 rings for $1.

Live entertainment will go from 7 p.m. to 12:15 a.m., starting with the band Flashback. From 9 to 9:45 p.m. there will be the luminary lighting with a special luminary lighting ceremony. From 9:45 to 10:15 p.m. Jeshua Erickson will perform, and then from 10:15 to 11:15 p.m. Kim Seadlund will be on the stage. Lastly, from 11:15 to 12:15 a.m., band Three Wheels and a Flat will perform.

Theme hours will begin at 1 a.m., starting with luau hour from 1 to 2 a.m. At 2 a.m. crazy hats hour will begin, followed by ’80s hour at 3 p.m. Lastly, at 4 a.m. will be superhero hour.

Organizers encourage the public to attend, as people do not have to be on a team or be a survivor to attend.

The gates into the camping area will be closed at 5:30 p.m. Friday, and anyone who comes after that will be required to park on the west side of the grandstand, Johnson said.