NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP — Abject terror aficionados and connoisseurs of the occult will be able to show off their Halloween trivia chops while raising money for cancer research and patient support.

Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life will host its first fundraising event since its July 13 Relay for Life event at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival fairgrounds in Niles this weekend. Halloween Trivia Night will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Orchard Hills Country Club, 2841 Niles-Buchanan Road in Niles Charter Township.

The club is a mile’s drive away from Niles Scream Park — or, hypothetically, the distance of the echoing yelps emitted from Niles Scream Park’s attractions.

The trivia event’s proximity to Niles, Buchanan and Niles Scream Park was planned, said Tracie House, Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life event lead.

“A lot of our volunteers work at Niles Scream Park for fundraising for our Relay for Life, so we thought we would try to tie it into the Scream Park, being close to them,” she said. “People would take the night to come to our event first before going to the Scream Park.”

The location is also on the road that connects the two cities in the local Relay for Life’s namesake.

Teams of up to six people will compete in eight rounds of horror-based trivia, from books to music to movies. The three teams that score the highest will each receive a Halloween-themed prize. Teams and individuals can also vie for a best team costume and best costume prizes.

Proceeds from signups — $50 per team or $10 per person — a 50/50 raffle and a menu of pulled pork, burgers, brisket, chips, chili and macaroni and cheese will go toward the American Cancer Society and the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life’s 2020 relay.

The American Cancer Society directs funds toward patient support, cancer research, preventative measures and cancer prevention and treatment.

Some of the organization’s community programs include a service that connects cancer patients to free rides to cancer treatments. Another gives free wigs.

House said trivia night proceeds would likely go to these programs, so long as there is local support.

“We would love to have more teams,” she said. “If you’re a business owner, we would love to have you as a sponsor.”

Teams can reserve their table by texting Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life at (269) 240-0573.

The trivia night is part of Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life’s new push to emphasize fundraising events. This summer’s relay event — the chapter’s core program — had a smaller turnout and less donations than its leadership team expected, House said.

“Our focus this year [is] to start early, to get events going that help raise money and not just try to raise it at the event,” she said.

This allows relay teams to feel more like teams as they raise money with more ease, House said.

Typically, teams participating in Relay for Life events have to raise their own money, which House said can be difficult. Events provide a fun outlet for donations, she said.

House also said hosting more events may also help increase awareness of and participation in Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life. Instead of a yearly event, Relay for Life becomes a year-round activity.

“Everybody’s been touched by cancer,” she said. “It’s hard to find somebody that hasn’t been touched by cancer.”

The next step, House said, is to connect those affected by cancer with organizations seeking to end the disease and support those with it, such as Relay for Life and American Cancer Society.

House herself joined with her daughter, Ember, seven years ago as volunteers. Now, both have leadership positions, with Ember being media lead.

“We’ve had family that’ve had cancer,” House said. “Currently, we have a family member going through it.”

By the time Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life’s 2020 relay event comes around, leadership hopes substantial money is raised and more people affected by cancer, like the Houses, are participating.

The theme of the 2020 is “Don’t Stop Believin’ in a Cure” and will feature a 1980s theme, from fashion to music. It will be hosted at Buchanan Common behind the city’s downtown strip.