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The Huron County Relay For Life will be holding their annual fundraising event for 24 hours starting on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Huron Community Fairgrounds.

The event kicks off with opening ceremonies, which also represents the start of the bidding on the silent auction. Some unique auction items include: two tickets to the Bristol Motor Speedway for the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series (donated by Denny Puvalowski), a Xyron Diecut Scrapbooking Machine (donated by Pat and Nicole Maurer), four rounds of golf at Boyne Mountain, Ford Racing Twill Jacket and Polo Shirt and a John Deere Tractor (donated by Terry Guza), as well as many other items. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

Other activities include a performance from dancers from the Anita DeCourval School of Dance (11:30 a.m.), an egg hunt (12:30 p.m.) and a car show (1-5 p.m.). There will also be Relay Idols/Team Skits, Celebrity Look-alike Introductions and a performance by the Bill Denbrock Band.

At 5 p.m. there will be a Survivor Ceremony and Lap, followed by a Fight Back Ceremony at 7 p.m. and a Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m. As the evening progresses, their will be karaoke with Misty Sageman at 10 p.m. and a potluck at midnight, followed by line dancing at 2 a.m. and bingo from 3- 5 a.m.

The Bad Axe Lions Club Breakfast starts at 6:30 a.m., while the Build a Race Car Parade begins at 8 a.m. and is followed by church service at 8:30 a.m., raffle drawing at 10 a.m. and Closing Ceremony at 10:30 a.m.

On going activities include: D.J. Bobcat, Lions Club food, games, Relay Store, putt- putt golf and theme laps and entertainment.

For more information on the event, contact Sandra Koglin at (800) 728-2323.

According to www.cancer.org, Relay For Life was started in the mid-80s by colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordy Klatt, who was looking for ways to increase the income of his local American Cancer Society office.

Klatt decided to combine his passion for helping others with his love to run and in May 1985, he raised money by running around the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound for 24 hours and more than 83 miles. With friends and family paying $25 to run or walk with him for half an hour, Klatt raised $27,000 that night.

While running lap after lap, Klatt was also thinking of ways he could get other people involved, which is when he dreamed up the team concept for the event. According to the Web site, "He envisioned a 24 hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer."

The next year, 19 teams participated in an effort that netted $33,000 for the fight against cancer. "An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield."