Soon crowds with their tents and cookout gear will be taking over the track at the Ironton High School for the eighth annual Relay for Life.

The overnight fund-raiser brings in tens of thousands each year locally for cancer research. This will be the second year for the event in Ironton. Formerly, it was held at the Lawrence County Fairground in Rome Township.

Participating teams hold fund-raisers throughout the year to bring in money for the cause. They can range from rummage sales to teas to bluegrass concerts.

Teams can begin setting up at 2 p.m. today with the survivors’ reception at 5 p.m. The opening ceremony will be at 6 p.m. including the survivors’ lap where cancer survivors walk around the track to mark their victory against the killer.

Throughout the night will be entertainment, including Sheldon Road and the Ironton High School choir. At 9 p.m. is the Luminary Ceremony where candles are lit to represent the memory of a loved one who has died from cancer or in honor of someone with the disease. There will be line dancing lessons from 10 to midnight; a sack race at 2 a.m.; a chocolate pie eating contest at 3 a.m.; breakfast and a wake-up call at 6 a.m. and awards ceremony at 10:30 a.m.