There has been a change in format this year for the Steinbach Relay for Life which raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. The event will run from noon to midnight this Saturday rather than 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. as it has in the past. Chair Bill Chabot says it is being held at the Mennonite Heritage Village. Chabot says it's too soon to say whether the new schedule will result in increased participation.

"We have 18 teams this year. We had 16 registered last year although not all of them showed up. I think makes a little bit of a difference. We'll know more after the event how everybody likes it because then we get feedback."

He says about 1,000 people attended the event last year including about 200 participants in the relay itself. Chabot says the opening ceremony at noon will include the survivor's walk.

"At 12:00, we have the Survivor Walk. There will be music playing and we'll do two laps of the whole track. There will also be introductions and stuff like that."

Chabot says seven local bands will provide entertainment throughout the relay. He is hopeful they will exceed last year's fundraising total of $80,000.

Twelve golfers from the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Club are doing their part for the event by collecting pledges and golfing non-stop from noon to midnight.