TULALIP — The 2011 Marysville/Tulalip Relay for Life isn’t until this summer, but Relay organizers aim to give the community a “Taste of Relay” Jan. 15 from 5-7 p.m. at the Pacific Rim Restaurant and Night Club, adjoining the Tulalip Best Western Inn.

Mo Olason, event chair for the 2011 Marysville/Tulalip Relay, explained that the kickoff party for this year’s Relay fundraising season will offer attendees insights into the Relay, as well as opportunities to register as cancer survivors or sign up Relay teams of their own.

While dinner is being provided free of charge to all attendees by Domino’s, Little Caesar’s, Boston’s and Jet City Pizza, as well as a few other area restaurants, with dessert provided by “The Best Little Cake Shop,” Olason noted that donations for dinner would be accepted gratefully. Those who wish to contribute can also take part in the wine-tasting provided by Mistica Wines, Elsom Cellars and the Vineyard Table, with a fee of $10 for eight samples that will go directly to the Marysville/Tulalip Relay for Life.

With RSVPs from at least 60 attendees and between 100-150 total attendees expected, Olason encouraged those interested in attending to RSVP soon, especially since this kickoff party for this year’s Relay season will be the last chance to register on a Relay team for $7. After Jan. 15, that price will go up to $10.

“We’ll have stations with laptops set up for people to sign up at the event, as well as paper registration forms available,” Olason said. “Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring will serve as our honorary chair and give our opening speech. We’ll have all sorts of speakers and entertainment to give the evening’s attendees a sense of what Relay for Life is all about.”

While the 2010 Marysville/Tulalip Relay drew 44 teams, organizers of this year’s Relay have set a goal of signing up at least 100 teams. For Olason and many other Relay participants, the drive to make this annual Relay succeed stems from their personal losses.

“I lost my mom to cancer when I was 17, and not a day goes by that I don’t remember her,” Olason said. “Cancer affects everybody, and this is how we fight back. You can do something with your sadness and anger and energy on behalf of those who have had so much taken away from them.”

For more information on the 2011 Marysville/Tulalip Relay for Life, log onto www.relayforlife.org/marysvillewa, e-mail mo.msvlrelay@gmail.com or call 425 508-2379.