This year's Sheriff's Ride for the Relay is being held in honor of Chief Deputy Joel Hill, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Hill is shown here holding a guitar autographed by some of today's most popular country singers, including Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley and Sugarland. The guitar will be given away during Saturday's events at Gaffney Middle School. (Ledger photo by TARA JENNINGS) Sheriff's deputies are preparing for the 2nd Annual Sheriff's Ride for the Relay Saturday.

If raising money to help find a cure for cancer isn't enough to draw you to Gaffney Middle School for what will hopefully be one of the biggest law enforcement motorcycle rides in the Upstate, then maybe a guitar signed by some of today's hottest country singers will be.

The guitar autographed by Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley and Sugarland will be given away Saturday, along with a grill and Dewalt drill set. Two lucky winners will receive the use of a BMW convertible for a weekend.

Tom Crabtree of WSPA will emcee the event. Plain and Simple, a Bluegrass band featuring narcotics officer Joey Guyton, will also perform at the middle school.

S.C. Highway Patrolman Chris Mace has volunteered to be in a dunking booth to raise funds on the day of the event. Riding apparel vendors will also be present.

While there will be plenty of fun activities for the whole family, the purpose of the event is much more serious. This year's theme is "The Cure Is Just Ahead."

More than 30 police motorcycle units from across the state will escort motorcyclists during the ride which begins at Gaffney Middle School. The 75-mile route extends on Highway 29 through Spartanburg to the Union High School football stadium and back to Gaffney.

"This is not a poker run," said Sheriff's Deputy Capt. Richard Duckett. "This is a benefit motorcycle ride to honor those who have had cancer, those who are fighting cancer, and those who have lost the fight to cancer."

Major sponsors include CocaCola, Outback Steakhouse of Gaffney, Herbies Famous Fireworks and Hamrick's. Other sponsors are American TransMed, Cherokee Bonding Company, Abbot Farms and Joe McKowen Physical Therapy Inc.

Those who do not wish to ride can still take part in activities at Gaffney Middle School, including a dinner by Outback, Sheriff Bill Blanton said.

The cost for a T-shirt and dinner is $20. A T-shirt or dinner alone is $10 each. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the ride will start at 10 a.m.