The time has finally arrived.

The campus-wide effort that has been a year in the making is culminating this weekend with the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Tonight, and for the remainder of the weekend, the dancers, who will be on their feet for 48 hours straight to pledge their dedication to finding the cure for pediatric cancer, are in the spotlight.

But let's not forget the people behind the scenes who make all this happen:

The Moralers, who work shifts endlessly, often choosing to forgo sleep, and are willing to go to the ends of the earth for their dancers.

The Operations committee, which has been hard at work setting up Rec Hall since 7 last night and will stay long after 7 p.m. Sunday to clean up the gym.

The Public Regulations committee, which will spend the weekend not on the floor with the kids and the dancers, but downtown, flyering and soliciting support for Thon.

The Rules and Regulations committee, which faces the relentless crowds all weekend, signing people in and keeping everything moving smoothly.

The Corporate Relations committee, which has worked with large corporations -- 200 total last year -- and continues to weed through the red tape to bring in even more donations and raise the overall total money collected.

The Entertainment committee, which brings the best bands of State College and other favorites to revive the kids, families, dancers and other volunteers year after year.

The Family Relations committee, which has worked with thousands of families, connecting students and kids, and creating the environment to form relations that last a lifetime.

The Finance committee, which will stack quarters and count every penny for the cause until every cent is accounted for.

The Hospitality committee, which last year provided 1,400 Subway sandwiches, 500 gallons of Gatorade and 200 pounds of pasta to keep the dancers going.

The Marketing committee, which operates the Thon Store and sells Thon merchandise to promote the cause.

The Special Events committee, which designs activities like mail call to keep the kids and dancers smiling throughout the 48 hours.

The Technology and Donor Development committee, which revamped the Web site this year and is working with students to make Thon digital through PSN-TV and www.thon.org.

And last but not least, Larry Moore, who last year fielded 1,451 song requests and will spend all 48 hours this year groovin' again.

This weekend, all the work pays off.

As in years past, thousands have rallied together to move closer to the cure for pediatric cancer.

And tonight, it's showtime.