The annual Relay for Life is back at Veterans Memorial Park this Friday to celebrate cancer survivors and raise money for a cure.

The event raises money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.

In the past, Relay for Life festivities gathered around the football field located in the back of the park, but for 2019, organizers decided to move the event to Field 1, the field closest to the new pool house that opened last summer.

Lead volunteer Kris Rowan said the move to Field 1 was so that participants have access to the indoor restrooms and concessions area as well as parking closer to the activities.

Rowan said activities this year include a dunk tank, face painting, live music from local musicians and choirs, a bounce house and contests for best food, costume, campsite and activity.

There will be an assortment of tasty treats to choose from, with pizza, hot dogs, deli sandwiches, snow cones, Kani House, homemade sweet and homemade chili and cornbread.

This year’s theme is “Superheroes.”

As of April 22, Rowan said the Dawson County Relay for Life is about $9,000 short of its $67,000 yearly fundraising goal, but feels confident that they will surpass their goal.

“Every penny raised is a win,” Rowan said. “Every penny saves a life.”

Relay for Life is all about honoring cancer survivors and those you’ve lost in the past, according to Rowan.

The traditional Survivor/Caregiver Walk around the field will begin at 7 p.m. A luminaria ceremony honoring those who died from cancer will begin at 9 p.m.

Rowan said she hopes that people who come out to Relay for Life get a chance to meet local survivors and walk with them.

“Let them know how special they are and that there are people there supporting them,” she said.

Service dogs are the only animals allowed at the event.

Relay for Life begins at 6 p.m. at the park, 186 Recreation Road in Dawsonville.