A walk next week will bring together people of all ages to raise awareness about The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned cancer research.

The Hormel Institute’s second annual Walk for a Cancer Free World begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at The Institute, 801 16th Ave. NE. The walk follows a route about four miles long, from The Hormel Institute to Bandshell Park, mostly using the city’s paved pedestrian trail system. At Bandshell Park, participants can enjoy that evening’s Freedom Fest music, food and games as well as a fireworks display at dusk.

This year’s walk will follow the same path as the 2011 event, heading south along the east side of the Hormel Foods Corp. plant before connecting with the city trail at the intersection of Eighth St. and Eighth Ave. NE. Walkers will follow the trail as it winds through beautiful areas of Austin on its way to Bandshell Park. Last year, The Hormel Institute’s inaugural walk drew about 250 participants.

“We are thankful to the Chamber of Commerce and all sponsors for providing our community with such a vital Freedom Fest celebration,” said Dr. Zigang Dong, executive director of The Hormel Institute. “Our second walk, now an annual event, is a special time to invite people to remember our vision — a world free from the suffering and premature loss caused by cancer.”

Along the route, The Institute will have several stations offering information about its cutting-edge cancer research and upcoming major expansion along with other items, including bottles of water donated and handed out by employees of the Austin Walgreens. A few of The Institute’s annual fundraising supporters also plan to be at the stations.

Participants can pre-register at the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce office, 329 N. Main St. Suite 102, or from 5 to 5:30 p.m. on the day of the walk in The Hormel Institute’s main lobby. Participants are responsible for their transportation to and from the walk. Click here for a link to the registration form.

Cost is $10 per person and includes a T-shirt featuring this year’s walk logo. All money from the event will go to The Hormel Institute’s world-renowned research aimed at discoveries leading to the prevention and control of cancer.

Walking to fight cancer

Who: The Hormel Institute

What: Second annual “Walk for a Cancer-Free World” as part of Austin’s Freedom Fest

Where: Walk will go about four miles from The Hormel Institute, 801 16th Ave. N.E., to Bandshell Park

When: Walk starts at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3; same-day registration is from 5 to 5:30 p.m. in The Institute lobby

Cost: $10 per person, includes T-shirt