Lincoln County’s Relay for Life week comes to a close thisweekend as teams gather at Exchange Club Park starting at 7 p.m.Friday night.

“We’ve done the purple ribbons on the doors when the mayor andboard of supervisors proclaimed Relay for Life week,” Relay forLife Chairwoman Terry Lynn Watkins said. “It’s a reminder to peoplethat relay is an awareness of the American Cancer Society and whatthey do.”

Watkins said Friday’s events begin with a survivor’s dinner.

“All cancer survivors are invited for the dinner,” she said.”You don’t have to have reservations or anything. Just show up at6.”

The relay itself starts at 7 p.m., with the survivors making theopening lap. After that, teams will do laps until 7 a.m.Saturday.

Watkins said the rides at Exchange Club Park will be open from 7to 10 p.m. The rides, coupled with the live music, make the eventfun for all ages.

“There are all sorts of different entertainment, and a lot ofgood music lined up,” said Watkins. “People can bring kids – it’llbe a great family atmosphere.”

Watkins said there will also be plenty to eat.

“A lot of teams sell food at their tent, which really helps thecause,” she said.

And relay organizers feel the more money made, the better foreveryone.

“The money goes to research, and of course, we know withoutresearch there would be more deaths,” said Watkins. “In the lasttwo years cancer deaths have dropped because people are more aware.The more money we can make, the more we can make people aware, andwe’re just that much closer to the cure.”

Watkins, who has lost two siblings to cancer herself, said theevent is important on a much more personal level to many arearesidents.

“Relay is once a year, and it’s a time our community can cometogether to help this very worthy cause,” she said. “I don’t thinkthere’s a family in Lincoln County untouched by cancer.”