Residents from Hartselle and surrounding areas will be coming together to help raise cancer awareness and money for cancer research this weekend.

The Hartselle-Morgan Relay for Life will be Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight at Sparkman Civic Center.

In years past, the weather has hampered the fundraising efforts during the annual Relay event, which has been held most every year at J.P. Cain. However, a scheduling conflict with the stadium has caused the event to be moved indoors for the first time.

Event co-chairwoman Tonya Parker said she hopes the move indoors will help the event be a success, especially since a 60 percent chance of rain has been forecasted for Friday.

“We shouldn’t be affected by the weather this time,” Parker said. “We’re hoping to have a great year.”

As of Friday, Parker said they have around 30 teams signed up for the event. She believes a more will sign up by the day of the event.

“We’ll even take a group who wants to sign up on the day of the event,” Parker said. “We should have plenty of room for more groups.”

The main event is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. with opening ceremonies, which includes the survivors’ lap, which is for any person who has battled or is currently battling cancer.

The survivors will also participate in the annual survivors dinner Monday at 6 p.m. at Hartselle First United Methodist Church. Hartselle High School’s performers provided entertainment.

“We had at least 240 people signed up for the dinner this year,” Parker said. “That’s more than we had last year.”

Following the opening ceremonies, teams will then begin the relay with team members continually walking around the track to raise money, which will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Parker said teams will have other fundraisers throughout the night.

“Teams will have carnival games, food, barbecue, T-shirts and other items for sale for team fundraisers,” Parker said. “Some are holding raffles for items including a new GE refrigerator and an Alabama football signed by Nick Saban. There should be something for just about anyone.”

One of the new events this year will be a classic car show outside the civic center, which fits in with this year’s 1950s theme.

“We’re hoping for a big turnout,” Parker said. “There will be plenty to enjoy both inside and outside Sparkman Civic Center.”

One of the things that Parker is most proud of is the fact that all six Hartselle City Schools have entered teams for this year.

“It’s great to have 100 percent participation from the schools here,” Parker said. “It means a lot to have each of the local schools enter a team in the event. We appreciate their hard work and participation.”

Parker added that she appreciated teams outside the city who have sponsored teams for this year’s event. That includes having teams from Falkville and Priceville elementary schools.

“This is much more than just a Hartselle event,” Parker said. “We have a number of teams outside of Hartselle. It’s really more of a Morgan County event.”

Parker said they will have several themed laps throughout the night. They are planning.

“We have several bands that are going to play,” Parker said. “We also have a deejay that will play music throughout the night. We are going to have some 50s music because that is our theme, but we will also have some more up-to-date music as well.

“We will also have designated laps for certain types of activities. Even though we’re inside, we will still have our luminaries and our lantern releases. We’re hoping for a great event and a great turnout.”