The eighth annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Pahrump will be dedicated to the memory of Fran Stratton, an eager participant who led the survivor walk but died last March.

"When the young 'uns were running out of steam, she'd keep going," said event Chairman Manon Rodriguez.

The annual walk kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Petrack Park. Each of the 16 teams will have a walker on the field continuously for 12 hours. Rodriguez said there will be more than 400 walkers this year.

The goal is to raise $75,000 -- Rodriguez said the walkers raised $52,000 last year. Organizers this year have already surpassed $50,000 in donations, she said.

Opening ceremonies begin at 5:30 p.m. The first lap at 6 p.m. is the survivor lap, walked by survivors of cancer. They will be followed by the caregivers.

"People don't recognize caregivers are there all the time. We want to acknowledge them and how important they are. Plus, it's an important opportunity for them to meet other caretakers," Rodriguez said.

Romero's Mexican Restaurant will cater dinner for the Relay participants.

The Pahrump ACS had the option of offering 12-, 18- or 24-hour relays. But Rodriguez said one thing can't change: walking in the dark.

"It has to be overnight. Cancer never sleeps, and that is the time of day cancer is most stressful on cancer victims and their caregivers," Rodriguez said.

The theme for this year is "An Evening With The Stars." Competing teams will decorate their campsites accordingly, based on movie themes, with awards in the morning for the best decoration.

For example, Rodriguez said the Catholic church will use the theme from the movie "Angels in the Outfield," while the Wells Fargo Bank team chose, "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly." Representatives of Bella Pictures, a new Pahrump business, will be dressed like brides while they walk, under the theme from the movie, "Runaway Bride."

Petrack Park is a good campsite, and as Rodriguez said it is visible to the public.

"This Relay, more than ever, is going to be really geared toward getting the community involved. Even if they don't have a team, even if they're not walking, they can come down and still be part of the event and honor someone with cancer," Rodriguez said.

The most touching part of the event is the luminaria ceremony, scheduled for 9 p.m. All the lights are turned off and everyone is silent, while the walkers make a lap with only the luminarias lit up, and the names of cancer victims read over the loudspeaker. Luminarias are bags lit by a candle inside, a Mexican tradition at Christmas time.

Rodriguez said organizers already sold 200 tickets for the luminaria ceremony; she's expecting they'll end up selling 400 to 500 tickets.

Some event organizers have moved summer events to a cooler time of the year. The Relay for Life, however, has to be held in August since the calendar year for the American Cancer Society ends Aug. 31.