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(BRENDAN KERGIN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS – Thirteen food trucks are setting up shop this weekend at the Kamloops Airport as part of a local fundraiser.

Admission to the festival is by donation and all money collected at the door will go to the Kamloops Therapeutic Riding Association.

Adults can partake in local food truck faire with a beverage from Monte Creek Winery or Red Collar Brewery. Kids are free to let loose in the bouncy castle and entertainment area by Jump n Jax inflatables, or catch a ride on a pony cart with Snowy River Farms.

Parking is free and anyone interested can check out the event on Friday, May 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“This is our third time putting it on and each event is getting better and better,” executive director Ashley Sudds says. “The Riding Association is one of the very few special recreational activities for those with disabilities in the Thompson-Nicola Cariboo region.”

The Riding Association uses horse riding lessons as therapy for youth and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities, and at-risk-youth.

Locals have supported the event in the past, with the first festival on June 17, 2016 drawing about three times the number of people expected.

“There were over 2,000 people for the first event last year in June. That’s when we realized its potential and knew we needed more space at the new airport location,” Sudds says.

Once turning onto the Airport Road, immediately on the right are empty fields for parking. Sudds says there will be plenty of signage and about 30 volunteers working the event.

At the two events last year, the RIding Association raised about $10,000 in donations, according to Sudds. The goal is to reach that amount at this event alone.

“It’s such a simple, easy and fun way to support a local cause,” Sudds says.

The organizers hope to see 1,000 visitors per day this year. The festival’s Facebook event page has more than 250 confirmed guests on the morning of May 10.

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