Hundreds of cancer survivors, their family and friends came out for the 33rd annual Grays Harbor Relay For Life event in Hoquiam Friday afternoon. The event raises money for cancer research and honors both survivors of cancer and those lost to it, all while bringing the community together in a way that brings hope there eventually will be a cure discovered. From 6 p.m. Friday through Saturday afternoon, people walk around the track at Hoquiam High School as a way to honor those affected by the disease.

The weather turned out to be perfect Friday, with sunny and mild weather that helped create a festive atmosphere with people mingling in auction tents, kids getting balloon animals made, and some browsing the long line of whiteboards that have names of all those lost to cancer written on them.

Dozens of teams compete to raise as much money as they can, through fundraisers, silent auctions and more, with all the funds going to cancer research at the American Cancer Society.

This year’s event was dedicated in memory of Betty Norquist, who passed away in March and was one of the leaders for the team Jenny’s Joggers/Tom’s Trotters, which regularly competes for raising the most money each year.

The event isn’t as packed as it was years ago, when booths were found at every section around the track, but there was a decent variety of tents this year for raffles, food, and games like bowling and mini golf.

Each year, the first lap is dedicated to cancer survivors and those battling it. This year survivor’s saw a big crowd make the walk around the track, with all of them donning their purple cancer survivor shirts.

For some attendees, like Dawn Odd from Aberdeen, the event represents a great way to gather and support one another in the battle against the disease.

“It’s really amazing, how many come out to say, ‘We’re behind you, how can we cure cancer?’” said Dawn Odd, who came to the event for her 17th year with her sister Joanne Eaton who had cancer years ago. “You see everyone, your friends, and who passed, and you’re there for them. It’s a great cause.”

Throughout Friday night and into Saturday, some teams have a participant walking around the track at all hours. Cynthia Crisp, from Jenny’s Joggers/Tom’s Trotters, joked that she used to walk at the late hours of the night, but that now she leaves it to the younger team members.

(Louis Krauss | Grays Harbor News Group) A few people take time to look over the list of people who were lost to cancer, written on a long row of whiteboards at the Relay For Life event in Hoquiam Friday.

(Louis Krauss | Grays Harbor News Group) Naomi Avalos, left, Raul Avalos and Dryden Enzler make cotton candy at this year’s Relay For Life event in Hoquiam.