Miller County Relay for Life organizers are counting on the community and survivors to attend the "Scaring Up a Cure" event Saturday.
The Halloween-themed event benefiting the American Cancer Society event will fill Rock Island Park in Eldon with free games, a costume contest, a local comedian performance and more 1-8 p.m. Oct. 20.
"The main thing is a celebration of our survivors and the caregivers," said Seth Freeman, Relay For Life senior community development manager.
Around 11 teams are signed up, chairperson Pam Sharp said. Registration for teams and volunteers will be accepted through the day of the event. Teams will have booths with individual fundraisers during the event, including a spaghetti dinner, silent auction and raffles.
"The teams donate everything that they have, and we give it all to the cause that night," Sharp said.
A candy walk for children will begin at 4 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. comedy performance by Shane Cooper. A best costume contest will be judged anonymously with winners announced at the end of the night.
Survivors can register for the survivor walk and receive their free T-shirt from noon-1 p.m., when the opening ceremony begins.
Freeman said community members are encouraged to take a lap around the track to show support for cancer patients. Their goal is to see as many people on the track as possible and to see the "hope torch" start with the longest-living survivor.
"It's kind of a symbol that we're going to keep that hope alive, we're going to keep going until we reach our end goal," Freeman said.
A Relay for Life staple - the luminaria ceremony in which decorated paper lanterns representing life are released - will begin at 7 p.m. Lanterns can be purchased on site for $5.
"People can go and decorate (the lanterns) in honor or in memory of someone who is fighting or has unfortunately lost their battle," Freeman said.
Local businesses are encouraged to add purple to their decorations for a "paint the town purple" effort leading up to the event.