Special Olympics Ontario hosting annual Truck Ride in Paris

The annual Special Olympics Ontario Truck Ride is back on the road this weekend in Paris.

The event will be taking place at the Paris Fairgrounds at 139 Silver Street. This year's Truck Ride has a fundraising goal of $40,000, with almost $24,000 raised as of Monday afternoon.

Tammy Blackwell, administrator for the Special Olympics Ontario Truck Ride, is calling for more drivers and volunteers to get on board for this weekend's event. Currently, they have around 50 athletes coming and are looking to match each one with a driver. Blackwell said the event is like a reunion for the athletes involved.

“It's just a 'feel good' day,” said Blackwell on the Mike Farwell Show on Monday. Each driver pays $100 to register, which includes meals for the day and commemorative shirts. 

The two-day event starts on Friday with family-friendly events, including a sponsor appreciation chili dinner, raffle draw and music performances by Erick Traplin and DJ Dan.

Drivers will depart from the Paris Fairground at 10 a.m. on Saturday before coming back for lunch and awards. The day will end with a baseball game with the drivers taking on the Cambridge Tigers.

Drivers looking to register and volunteers looking to help can visit the Truck Ride's website.