The Mower County Relay for Life will have 19 teams celebrate, remember and honor those affected by cancer this Saturday at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Events begin at 2 p.m.

“It’s going to be exciting for it all to come together,” said co-organizer Angie Hughson.

The relay will have a few changes and new events this year. In honor of Allen Belden, a car show will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. with registration from noon to 1:30 p.m. Belden was a supporter of the Relay for Life and wanted to bring the car show back this year. He passed away this past June after a two-year battle with cancer, but organizers wanted to follow through with his plan.

“We’ve decided to do it in memory of him,” Hughson said.

There will also be kids games, bounce houses, a silent auction and vendors in the earlier and mid afternoon. Stix of Fury and different groups will perform on the Main Stage as well. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. with the opening ceremony, followed by the survivor lap and “Balloons to Heaven” release.

At 9:15 p.m., the names of cancer victims and survivors will be read during the remember ceremony and lighting of the luminaries. The night will conclude at 2 a.m. with the fight back and closing ceremony.

This is Hughson’s first year as co-organizer of the event, although she has volunteered with Relay for Life for about nine years.

“I wanted to get more involved instead of just being on the sidelines,” she said about her new leadership role.

To Hughson, the event is more about just raising money for research.

“It isn’t just about research, it’s about helping families,” Hughson said.

The ambassadors for this year’s Relay For Life are Jaxon Gorman, 8, and Cindy Powell, 56.

“We hope they see we rally together to help them,” Hughson said.

Look to tomorrow’s Herald for a feature about the ambassadors.

Schedule of Events

2 p.m.—Miss Austin Kaylee Kalbow will play “Star Spangled Banner” on violin, Main Stage.

2-4 p.m.—Car show in memory of Al Belden. Registration is noon-1:30 p.m.

2-5:30 p.m.—Kids games and bounce houses

2-8:30 p.m.—Silent Auction in the Plager Building

3-4 p.m. Tri-Eight on Main Stage

4:30 p.m. Relay Dancers on Main Stage

5:15-5:45 p.m.—Stix of Fury drum line on Main Stage

6 p.m.—Celebrate/Opening Ceremony

6:30 p.m. Survivor Lap, followed by “Balloons to Heaven” release

6:45 p.m.—Awards and team lap

7:15-7:45 p.m.— Adam Wayne on Main Stage

7:45-8:45 p.m.—Dylan Kaercher on Main Stage

9:15 p.m.—Remember Ceremony and lighting of the luminaries

10 p.m.-2 a.m.—Music and games provided by DJ Nick Krause

2 a.m.—Fight Back/Closing Ceremony