Relay for Life Returns to Mayfield High School

The community's largest chance to support cancer research and have fun in the process returns to Mayfield High School this weekend.

The 11th annual Relay for Life of Hillcrest begins at noon Saturday and lasts for nearly a full day. Eighteen teams with 163 participants will take part in the popular event at the high school track.

Event organizers haven't recruited as many participants but the funds are about where they expect them to be.

"Even though we're down in participants and teams, we've raised a little more than $39,000, and the goal is $62,000," event chair Dawn Urban said.

Visitors who purchase food and enter raffles can help the Hillcrest group reach that goal, which was established last fall. Another on-site fundraiser, the "Movie Queen, " is sure to raise some eyebrows and produce laughter. It involves some of the male participants strutting around the track, dressed as women.

Relay for Life begins with an opening ceremony and survivor's lap for those who have beat cancer. Those survivors are then invited in for a luncheon. 

Click here to see the full schedule of events. The page also contains links allowing people to register as a survivor and for the survivor's luncheon.

Another highlight is the Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m. People who purchase luminaria bags will have them lined up in the stands at night, to spell the word 'hope.' People are encouraged to write the name of a loved one impacted by cancer.

"Anyone who's been touched by cancer, come check it out," Urban said. "It's really fun. There's a band, a DJ and these teams work really hard to put the event together."