By Kevin Hanson

The Courier-Herald

Enumclaw's sixth annual Relay For Life event - this time dedicated to the memory of Tony Lucarelli, a local teenager who lost his battle with cancer in late October - gets rolling Friday evening.

This year's Relay is again headquartered at the Enumclaw Public Library and will have participants circling several city blocks. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. and continues until noon Saturday.

Relay For Life is a nationwide effort that raises money for the American Cancer Society. Individuals and teams solicit pledges, which help pay for services and programs for local cancer patients, community education and cancer research.

The event runs throughout the night, one requirement being that each team has at least one person on the course at all times.

Friday's activities begin with opening ceremonies at 6, a lap walked only by cancer survivors at 6:30 and a team parade at 7. A special part of each Relay comes at 9:30 with the luminary ceremony; small bags are decorated in honor of cancer survivors, or those who lost their fight with the disease, and lighted candles are placed in each.

On the lighter side, there will be live entertainment, a silent auction, food and activities. Friday night entertainment includes the Kevin Jones Band at 7:30 and Eli Holm at 11; Saturday morning, the Rumble Rockers perform at 9. The silent auction is highlighted by a die-cast car and hat autographed by Enumclaw native and NASCAR star Kasey Kahne; also available will be gift baskets, a patio heater and more.

Kevin Hanson can be reached at khanson@courierherald.com.