Last year, 700 people on 52 teams walked around a track to raise more than $126,000 for the fight against cancer.

This year, they hope to raise even more money during the American Cancer Society's largest fundraiser of the year, the Relay for Life.

Teams are made up of "anyone who's been affected by cancer, which is everybody," said Relay chairwoman Jami Warner.

And while walking for the entire 22 hours isn't required of every team member, participants who nap between laps will miss out on an array of activities throughout the evening.

Live music will play until at least 3 a.m. and will feature the musical stylings of Seeds-N-Stems, Dan Sherrill, Boulevard Road, Laurie Dameron, Stan and Kathy Kirlin, Sonzaviz, Save My Hero, and Bryan Ragsdale.

"Entertainment wise, we've just got tons of people," said Rich Konkler, Relay entertainment coordinator. "Obviously we have a lot."

Casper Martial Arts and Rising Star Dance will put on presentations, and the Shriner's clowns will entertain for a portion of the relay.

The kids [and everyone else] can enjoy an inflatable obstacle course and an 18-foot slide.

In keeping with a "Racing for Relay" theme for the night, the family-friendly Disney movie "Cars" will play on a big screen on Friday evening and real race cars will be available for viewing.

New this year, a video game challenge during the relay will feature games on a Sony Playstation 3, a Nintendo Wii and an Xbox 360. Games will be played on two 8-foot-by-8-foot screens hung from the goalposts. And yes, participants will have the chance to play the coveted Guitar Hero games, complete with plastic-but-rockin' guitars.

An optional 5-kilometer "fun run" will start early Saturday morning. Runners can sign up the day of the event, and will receive a T-shirt and free breakfast for participating.

Free massages and private skin cancer checks will be available for all Relay participants.

Participants will also be well fed, with dinner, midnight pizza, breakfast and lunch provided.

A nighttime luminary ceremony will honor cancer survivors and victims, and a slideshow will remember people in the Casper area who died fighting cancer during the last year. Community members can also place photos on the Wall of Hope and the Wall of Memory.

Konkler said the Relay is important because it allows people affected by cancer to celebrate battles won and remember those lost. Raising money, he said, is the American Cancer Society's way of fighting the disease.

"The money raised goes to various things and research for people who have cancer," Konkler said. "If it wasn't for the money and research [raised through relay events], we wouldn't have as many survivors. Survivors are living proof that the money does come back locally."

Nonparticipating members of the public are welcome to attend Relay-related festivities.

Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com

To Participate

The Casper Relay for Life will be held at the Harry Geldien Stadium at Kelly Walsh High School. It will begin at 4 p.m. on Aug. 1 and end at 2 p.m. on Aug. 2. For more information on forming a Relay team or volunteering, contact the American Cancer Society at 235-0044.

Photos needed

The American Cancer Society is looking for pictures from family and friends who have lost a loved one to cancer in the last year. Loved ones will be honored in a slide show presentation during the luminaria ceremony and on the Wall of Memory at the Relay for Life on Aug. 1 in Casper.

The slide show will be presented on a first come, first serve basis. Photo entry deadline is Friday.

For more information, contact Rich Konkler at 259-2457 or rkonkler@gmail.com, or call the American Cancer Society Casper office at 235-0044.