The purple-clad people of Wareham will lace up their walking shoes this weekend for the town’s annual Relay For Life.

Relay For Life is a national American Cancer Association fundraising event that raises money for cancer research. It operates on a volunteer basis, and relies on community fundraising efforts. This year, 27 teams with 227 total participants are signed up for the walk in Wareham. So far, they have raised a total of $46,975.51, in advance of Saturday.

Relay for Life Community Manager Kelsey Newton said the public is encouraged to attend, even if they don’t want to participate.

“The biggest misconception is that you have to do this big fundraising team, and you have to go to the event and stay the whole 18 hours,” Newton said. “Everyone is encouraged to come down … even if people are just interested in coming down and grabbing food.”

Publicity Committee member Meg Taylor said the event, which has taken place in Wareham since 2003, is moving for both cancer survivors and family members of those with cancer.

“It can be a very special event for anyone battling cancer currently, or who has in the past,” Taylor said.

Taylor said one of the most moving parts of the event is the luminaria ceremony, in which candles are lit and placed in special luminaria bags for those who have been lost to cancer, or who are currently battling the disease.

“All the survivors are there,” Taylor said. “They do a walk, and then everyone does a silent lap. It’s so moving. It’s unreal.”

This year’s Relay for Life will take place at the Wareham Middle School outdoor track. It will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday.