EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Police Department K-9s "Nick" and "Oki" participated in the Dream Ride Police K-9 Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 24, in Farmington, Conn. The contest is part of the three-day Dream Ride Experience.

K-9 Nick and his handler Sergeant Sandra Bonvehi brought back first place in fastest explosives search competition. Oki and his handler Sergeant Jay Rainville also performed admirably in their event.

Nick, a German shorthaired pointer, is the EPPD's explosives and evidence detection K9. Oki is a Belgian Malinois and the EPPD's narcotics and patrol k9.

The Dream Ride Experience, held annual on and around the grounds of the Farmington Polo Club, is the main fundraising event of the year for The Hometown Foundation, Inc. The event celebrates the "Dream Riders," who are individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The 2024 edition raised $7 million for the cause.

The weekend features family-friendly events Pet Adoption Center, delicious food, live entertainment and music, the Police K-9 Challenge, a Firefighters Chili Cook-Off and more. It also includes the Saturday Dream Ride, a 40-mile, police-escorted motorcycle tour through the Farmington countryside; the Dream Cruise, a Saturday police-escorted ride where drivers pair up with Dream Riders in their classic/exotic vehicles for a 17-mile cruise; and culminated with the Sunday Dream Show featuring cars and motorcycles in the largest cause-related car show on the East Coast.

The Dream Riders, who are also Special Olympics athletes, reside in nearly every state in the United States as well as several countries from the world. The Dream Ride Experience advocates for inclusion and building friendships amongst not only the Dream Riders, but also with the participants and attendees.

In 2023, The Dream Ride Experience raised a record breaking amount of $4.2 million dollars. To date, over $20 million has been donated to The Hometown Foundation, Inc. For more information visit www.dreamride.org.