New events add extra fun to the successful ongoing 10th year celebration of Paint the Town Pink, all in an effort to raise funds for cancer research at The Hormel Institute University of Minnesota.

Raising a record number means funding a record number of seed grants given to researchers at The Hormel Institute. These grants allow new, exciting research ideas to move forward; ideas that would not otherwise be possible.

“It is important to realize that every dollar that is donated to The Hormel Institute is used 100 percent for cancer research, said PTTP grant recipient Dr. Rebecca Morris. “The money that Paint the Town Pink provides allows us to enter new areas of research and explore innovative ideas as we look for new answers, all in an effort to improve people’s lives and health.”

Upcoming Paint the Town Pink events include:

• Rose Creek Paint the Town Pink – Rose Creek Paint the Town Pink takes place this weekend, starting with a Bean Bag Tournament at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, at the Rose Creek Fire Hall. The Creek Bar & Grill will host a free-will donation breakfast from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, along with a bake sale, silent auction, and karaoke.

• Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby – The annual Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Mower County Fairgrounds. Food, beverages and silent auction items will be available in the heated Purple Ribbon Plaza. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 5-12.

This event was originally scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 9, but was postponed due to heavy snow.

• Learn to Curl with the Mower County Curling Club – Those who wish to learn how to curl can join the MCCC from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16, at Packer Arena. No curling experience is necessary, all ages and abilities welcome, and all equipment will be provided. A $20 per person donation is suggested with all proceeds benefitting PTTP. For more information, visit www.mowercountycurlingclub.com.

• Inviting Table – Inviting Table, dedicated to the fight against cancer, will be hosted by the Austin Welcoming Center from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center’s Ruby Rupner Auditorium. Inviting Table provides an opportunity for the community to come together to share a meal and build bridges across cultural groups.

Don’t forget that McDonald’s on Oakland Avenue in Austin is donating 10 percent of kiosk sales to PTTP this week through Feb. 14.

Details about other upcoming Paint the Town Pink events can be found on the Paint the Town Pink website at hi.umn.edu/pttp.

All year long, Paint the Town Pink will be celebrating 10 years of funding innovative cancer research. Please consider organizing your own event or getting your community involved.

If you would like your event added to the Paint the Town Pink calendar, visit www.hi.umn.edu/pttp/tell-us-about-your-event or email Paint the Town Pink Director Kathi Finley at GoPTTP@gmail.com.