The kickoff party for the annual July 4 Race for Virginia and Friends, which draws a growing number of runners to Cranberry each year, has become an event in itself.

This year's seventh annual race will begin with a kickoff party at SIBA Cucina Restaurant in Seven Fields at 7 p.m. Friday, a week before the race.

The party includes unlimited wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres donated by the restaurant, which will also set aside its patio area for the evening for this fund-raiser. Attendees will receive a commemorative wine glass etched with the race's logo, and they will have the chance to participate in a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia, restaurants, spa certificates and other prizes.

The Race for Virginia began in 2002 in memory of Virginia Clark, a 9-year-old third-grader from Seven Fields. Virginia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and fought the disease intermittently for seven years before she died March 13, 2002, one month after her ninth birthday.

Every year since, the race committee chooses a child whose memory is honored by the race. This year's honoree is Saxon Kiesewetter, a nearly 14-year-old boy from Harmony who lost his battle with cancer on June 2, 2007. Saxon had Ewing's sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the bones and soft tissue.

"Since the race began in 2002, the kickoff event, in conjunction with the race, has raised $212,500 for Pediatric Cancer Research at Children's Hospital," said Wendy Parrish, of Cranberry, a volunteer and former neighbor of the Clark family. "SIBA donates so much for this event, it's just unbelievable," she added.

Tickets, at $40 per person, can be purchased by contacting Judy Dudenhaver, event co-chairwoman, at 724-772-5983 or jdude@zbzoom.net.

This year's race will begin at 8 a.m. July 4 at Cranberry Township Municipal Park. Registrations can be taken online at www.raceforvirginia.org or in person next Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Jaycees Shelter in the park off of Route 19. Registrations also will be accepted from 6:45 to 7:45 a.m. on race day at the Jaycees Shelter. The entry fee is $20.

Race awards will be presented at the conclusion of the race.

For more information, contact Race Director, Bob Markovich, at 724-772-7429 or bmarkovich@zoominternet.net.