As expected, the 34th annual Lyle Area Cancer Auction got weird — in a good way, again.

Hundreds of volunteers and locals who hate cancer broke their own record by raising $200,000.02, $29,000 more than last year’s total.

“It was just unbelievable this year with how many new volunteers we had,” said Teresa Slowinski, who has for years helped with the event.

Sally Erwin of Albert Lea won a Harley Davidson motorcycle, which by itself raised $26,000.

This year’s auction was especially touching, as three volunteers were battling cancer. One has been cured.

“One has fought, and won,” Slowinski said.

Slowinski was surprised by the number of first-time volunteers. Many of them said they will be back for years to come, she added. Locals joked about Lyle badgering the city council to construct a building just for the cancer auction. Slowinski said way more than 200 people attended the event on Friday and Saturday at the Lyle American Legion. It was standing-room only.

“There were people that would come in and actually leave because it was so full,” Slowinski said.

Slowinski and others expect the event to continue growing in years to come.