The crew from GilliganÕs Island sailed the SS Minnow to Kalkaska County Fairgrounds June 22 and 23 for the Relay For Life.

Teams raised money by walking laps round-theclock for 12 hours. The relay schedule included a variety of themes that changed each hour, promising to keep the relay exciting throughout the night.

The American Cancer Society sponsored event had not been held in Kalkaska for a number of years. It returned to Kalkaska last year.

The Relay For Life raises money to support cancer research and treatment.

"This is a real comeback for Kalkaska County. This year, we doubled in team size and almost doubled donations," said Brenda Shaddon, who coordinated the event. According to Shaddon, there was almost $14,000 in donations. According to Shaddon, survivors and their families came from all over the state.

"People came from Chicago, Houghton Lake, Traverse City and all over," Shaddon said.

The event began at 5 p.m. Friday, June 22 with a "cake walk" in which participants walk in numbered squares while music plays. When the music stops, a number is drawn and the person standing on that number wins a cake.

Next was a "red carpet lap" in which teams paraded as celebrity look-a-likes. At 7 p.m., the focus shifted to a ceremony and reception celebrating cancer survivors.

Following a live auction, team leaders read the names of their team members in a "luminaria ceremony." The next hour there was "scavenger hunt musical chairs."

At midnight, the "pj lap" began, complete with pillow fights. An hour later, the theme shifted to "relay poker." Walkers built a hand of cards, winning a card with each completed lap.

There was a movie and popcorn at 2 a.m., and a show tune karaoke contest at 4 a.m.

Saturday morning began with exercise at 7 a.m., followed by fancy footwear and sunglasses contests. At 10 a.m. walkers created their favorite star modes of transportation for "pimp my ride."

At noon team leaders had one hour to direct their team in skits. Other events during the remainder of the day included a Marilyn Monroe / Elvis lookalike contest, star pets with outrageous costumes, and final team laps.

The closing ceremony at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday led up to the end of the relay at 5 p.m. While teams tagged to complete laps, other activities kept children active. There was a dunk tank, petting zoo, structured kids' activities, and pony rides.

According to Shaddon, many people said they were impressed by how well the relay went.

This was the first year as a team leader for Shirley Weber. Her 14- member team donned the name, "Relatives and Friends."

"Relatives and friends came from all over. One came from Buckley and one came from Alba," she said.

"Everyone's life has been touched in some way by cancer," Weber said. "This was a lot of fun. Everything was well organized. We'll come again," she said.