Live music, games, eating competitions and cross-dressing will liven up the SMU Boulevard this weekend.

The fifth annual SMU Relay for Life begins at 4 p.m. Friday and ends at 4 a.m. Saturday. Over 85 teams have signed up, which amount to a total of over 800 participants.

The event sponsors the American Cancer Society and its work in cancer research, advocacy and education.

“Relay for Life is an overnight event to represent the fact that ‘cancer never sleeps’ and neither should we in our fight,” Event Chair Mary Gibb said.

Last year, roughly $115,000 was raised, and this year’s goal of $120,000 is within sight.

Each team is required to raise a minimum of $1,000, and as of Thursday evening over $100,000 had already been raised.

Teams have prepared creative and entertaining fundraisers for the event to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Bake sales, pictures with Peruna and root-beer-pong tournaments are just a few examples.

Other entertainment will be provided to keep participants engaged throughout the night. Teams are invited to participate in the Mr. Relay pageant competition, the Pluckers wing eating contest, soccer and dodgeball tournaments, as well as a late-night cook-off.

“Between bands, games, competitions and miscellaneous events, the Boulevard will be a really fun place to be,” Gibb said.

Last year’s event was plagued with bad weather that eventually shut the relay down early. This year, the event directors are well prepared.

“The weather is forecasted to be beautiful,” Gibb said. “But, if there is some bad weather that comes up, we have a back-up plan that is much better than last year. The event is going to take place no matter what.”

The American Cancer society designed Relay for Life to bring communities together in remembrance of all who have been affected by the disease. It is the mission of the American Cancer society to eliminate cancer as a terminal illness. The survivors’ lap and the luminaria ceremony honor those who have faced cancer firsthand and remember those who have been lost to this disease.

“But relay isn’t about taking laps – it’s about coming together in the fight against cancer,” according to the American Cancer Society.