Freeborn County cancer survivors, their caregivers and other cancer-fighting advocates are invited to gather Friday for the 2010 Freeborn County Relay for Life at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

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

It’s an event that takes months of planning and draws hundreds of community members together for a straight 12 hours under one purpose.

“If you haven’t experienced it, you really should come out and experience it,” said local Relay for Life Chairwoman Vicki Manges. “To me, it’s a life-changing event.”

Manges said opening ceremonies will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds, with speeches from this year’s honored caregiver Greg Henderson and honored cancer survivors Peggy Brech and Joani Kuth.

After the speeches it will be 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. The names of the survivors who have registered will be read aloud, and survivors who have not registered can still do so the night of the event.

“I don’t think people realize how many people suffer or have suffered with cancer,” Manges said. “You see a big picture of who our survivors are.”

Afterwards, people from all of the teams will take turns walking through the night and into the next morning.

A kiddie carnival, along with food vendors, including Jake’s Pizza, Bruno’s, Blondies Baskets and Casa Zamora and Zman barbecue will be available starting at 5 p.m.

A silent auction will also run from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring items such as homemade quilts, gift baskets, Minnesota Twins tickets and a hotel package for the Mall of America, among others.

Manges said teams who have gift baskets they’d like to auction off can do so, and the money raised from their baskets will go toward their team fundraising total.

At the end of the silent auction, a winner will be drawn for a Las Vegas trip package, including airfare for two for three nights donated by Four Seasons Travel, Crossroads Trailers and Fountain Warehouse Liquor. People can make a free-will donation in a box near the auction in exchange for a ticket, and then one ticket will be drawn, Manges added.

Lighting of the luminaries will be at dusk.

Live entertainment will run from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., starting with the band Flashback. From 9:45 to 10:15 p.m. Jennifer Ordalen will perform, and from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. band Three Wheels and a Flat will be on stage. Lastly, from 11:15 to 6 a.m., will be Merle Krause.

Also throughout the night there will be four theme laps for walkers to participate in. During the 1 a.m. hour there will a Hawaiian theme, at 2 a.m. will be Halloween costumes, at 3 a.m. will be favorite sport or team, and at 4 a.m. will be purple power or relay spirit.

Prizes will be given to the best dressed.

Be on the track the first 15 minutes of each theme lap to be judged.

Manges said so far about 60 teams have signed up to participate, though a few more may still sign up in the early part of the week.

This year’s goal is to raise $134,000. About $24,000 had already been raised as of this week.

Fundraising continues through Oct. 31.

Manges said 80 percent of the money raised stays in Freeborn County to help residents who are struggling with cancer.

“For me, it’s a personal thing,” she said, noting several family members who have struggled with cancer.

“I have met so many new, wonderful people, and they all have a story to tell.”

A wrap-up meeting will be held for teams Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m.

What’s happening before the Relay for Life:

• Bank night: This will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at the Fairlane Building. At this time, team captains will bring in the money their team has raised thus far, along with any luminary bags that have been decorated. Team T-shirts will also be given out.

• Stadheim Jewelers Event: From 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Stadheim Jewelers, any cancer survivor, who is also a registered Relay for Life participant, may receive Pandora jewelry.

First-time recipients will receive a Pandora Bracelet and Angel of Hope charm; repeat participants will get a cloverleaf Pandora charm.

This is Stadheim’s third year sponsoring the event.

“They enjoy doing that,” Manges said. “They like the gratification they get from the thank yous of the survivors.”

Participants need to bring the postcard they’ve received in the mail to show proof of registration.

The jewelry store is at 215 S. Broadway Ave.