The 15th Annual Scott County Relay for Life is Friday

Follow Shakopee Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter

On Friday night, almost 500 participants will gather at to participate in the 15th annual Scott County Relay for Life.

The event is a way to bring the community together to fight cancer. Relay for Life is organized by the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research. Participants form teams to fundraise and then walk together at the event.

Since its inception, the Scott County Relay for Life has raised almost $2 million. The 42 teams participating this year are currently just a few thousand dollars shy of their $100,000 goal.

“You don’t have to be on a team to attend,” said event co-chair Brenda Stocker.

The public is invited to come to the opening ceremony or stop by at any point during the night.

The opening ceremony is a 7 p.m. The speakers will be a mother and daughter who are cancer survivors and served as caregivers for the other while each battled cancer.

Participants will walk until 6 a.m.

There will also be kids games and face painting from 5-9 p.m.

The event’s Facebook page highlights some of innovations at this year's Relay, including a dove release during the opening ceremony, themed laps as walkers go around the track, and special recognition for caregivers who supported their family or friends as they fought cancer.

Stocker said because the event is in its 15th year, T-shirts will be displayed from every year of the event. Teams and sponsors who have been involved since the event’s inception will be recognized as well.  

If you go:

What: Scott County Relay for Life

Where: Shakopee Junior High School

When: 7 p.m. Friday, July 13 to 6 a.m. Saturday, July 14

More information: www.relayforlife.org/scottcountymn