The annual Relay for Lake of Sumner/Bonney Lake gets under way Friday evening at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

The annual fundraiser runs through Saturday as walkers take to the track to raise money for the fight against cancer.

In the 16 years since it began in Tacoma, the annual Relay For Life, now a national event, has raised more than $2.5 billion for research into beating the disease.

This year’s theme is “A night at the movies… Lights, camera, Action against Cancer!”

This year, Steve Zamberlin was announced as the honorary chair for the event. The announcement was made this past week at the monthly Sumner Rotary Club meeting.

Zamberlin has been involved with Relay For Life of Sumner/Bonney Lake since the local event began, serving on the Planning Committee as the Logistics Chair for the last 13 years.

Steve said he is involved with Relay because it can help people and he believes anyone who comes down and walks during the luminary ceremony will become Relay lifers.

The event begins with the survivor celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday with the opening ceremony and survivor lap to follow.

The luminaria ceremony, in which small candles are lit within bags memorializing the fight of loved ones against cancer, is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

The Fight Back Ceremony is set for 11 a.m. Saturday with closing ceremonies scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

This year’s entertainment includes look alike contests, clowns, bands, midnight karaoke and music throughout the night to keep the walkers energized and moving.

Contests include campsite decoration, spirit stick contests, a “Save the Tah-Tah’s” bra decorating contest, a scavenger hunt, the cotton ball relay, a three-legged race and much more.

To register or make a donation, call the American Cancer Society at 253-272-5767 or at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit Relay for Life’s website.