Paint the Town Pink, the area’s annual cancer awareness fundraiser, is getting an early start.

Several events will take place this week as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Austin Runnings store will host a Ladies Night from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, to raise awareness and support for breast cancer research at the Hormel Institute. Pink buckets will be sold as part of the fundraising and numerous pink items will be for sale.

St. Mark’s Living will host a bake sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, in its main lobby.

Smitty’s Tavern will host a bean bag tournament as part of its “Plunging for Pink” team’s fundraising efforts starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. Games begin at noon. Cost is $10 per player and partners will be drawn for teams. Food will be available, and participants are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.

The Edge Salon is also selling pink ribbons for $1 each to adorn their salon throughout October, with a drawing on Nov. 1 from those who purchased ribbons. All proceeds will go toward the Institute’s breast cancer research.