Cancer survivors are encouraged to walk a lap of honour to lead about 50 fundraising teams involved in Rockhampton's Relay for Life event this weekend.

Relay for Life is a major Queensland Cancer Fund event due to be held this weekend (May 31-June 1) at the CQU Rockhampton athletics track. More than 500 people are expected to participate.

Relay coordinator Shaz Daye said the Survivor's Walk on Saturday afternoon would celebrate triumph while the Saturday evening Candlelight Ceremony would remember those fighting or lost to the disease.

She said Mayor Margaret Strelow will read the Relay for Life Oath and cut the ribbon for the opening ceremony, which will feature a song by Meghan Tait. Ms Daye said the serious tone would be balanced with plenty of fun, as many teams were coming in costumes. She said an extensive entertainment program would keep the participants focused.

The evocative Candlelight Ceremony will feature inspirational songs by Dimitri Kopanakis, Amanda O'Brien, Lachlan Scheuber and Linda Coombes.

This ceremony will be followed by performances by the Quay Street Jazz Band and rock-n-roll band Stepping Stones. Other activities will include karaoke, movies, children's games and dance displays.

Business, Schools and Community Teams were challenged to raise $1000 and many raised well over this amount.

Ms Daye said many teams would camp out at the athletics track, as the relay challenge required the team batons to be moved around the track continuously from 4pm Saturday to 10am the following Sunday.

She said members of the public were encouraged to attend the event to enjoy the entertainment and to cheer the participants. ENDS.

For details/interview call Shaz Daye QCF 5837 7088 M: 0408 004 714.

Photo caption: Relay for Life participants from throughout the region are in the mood for a big event at CQU Rockhampton.