TULALIP — Neon colored shirts, glitter, pompoms and bodysuits were the standard attire for the Snohomish County 2012 Walk MS event on Saturday, April 14.

More than 800 registered supporters arrived at the Tulalip Amphitheatre to trek around the Seattle Premium Outlets and Tulalip Casino. Their mission — to raise money for research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.

“I’m doing this for me, for my aunts and one of my girlfriends,” said Arlington resident Mitzi Ahles, team captain of the Lumpy Bruisers. The Lumpy Bruisers, with 35 members, was the largest team at the event and wore bright orange shirts to show their support. They began fundraising with a goal of $250, but easily reached more than $1,000. “I’m very happy,” said Ahles. “This walk has been awesome. We couldn’t have asked for better weather.” Ahles was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in late 2010 and this was her first walk event.

Walk MS is part of the National MS Society and takes place at locations nationwide each year. In Washington, there are 11 individual walks and Snohomish County hosts the largest. Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring and Tulalip Tribal Chairman Mel Sheldon Jr. both spoke at the start of the walk.

“Everything went wonderfully,” said Sarah Danilson, site manager of the event. “We are thrilled that both the Marysville mayor and Tulalip Tribal Chairman spoke. We are honored.” Danilson also expressed gratitude to the Tulalip Police officers for providing traffic control during the event.

The walkers were greeted with live music from the band “The Singles” covering classic rock hits, face painters for the kids, goats from Team Goat Farmers, Bomber the Fox mascot from the Washington Stealth lacrosse team and Lincoln the Everett Silvertips’ mascot. Walkers were cheered on by the Washington Stealth cheerleading squad known as the Bombshells.

The overall fundraising goal for the Snohomish County walk was $125,000 and by April 16 they had reached $107,474.