Family-friendly entertainment, complimentary food and more will be featured at the ninth annual Walk4Friendship fundraiser taking place on Oct. 1.

From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Old Port of Montreal, families can participate in a two-kilometre walk or a five-kilometre run that will help raise funds for Friendship Circle, a non-profit organization that supports kids, teens and young adults with special needs.

Participants can register online or on site at 11 a.m. for free. The walk will kick off at 11:40 a.m. and an afternoon filled with celebrations and kid-friendly activities will follow. Richard Bernstein, a Michigan-based judge who is visually-impaired, will be on hand during the opening ceremony to deliver some words of inspiration.

From 12-2 p.m.kids can enjoy face-painting, caricature artists, a reptile zoo, airbrush and glitter tattoos, carnival games, scooter racing, archery, soccer, clowns, stilt walkers, jugglers and other circus acts.

There will also be live music and free snacks, including pizza, popcorn, cotton candy and assorted drinks. There will be a free shuttle bus service to take participants to the event from the Walmart located on 5400 Jean-Talon St. as of 10:30 a.m. Space is unlimited, but online registration is required.

Last year’s event raised $500,000 and organizers hope to bring in even more this year. If you can’t make the event but would still like to donate, you can do so by calling (514) 735-2255 or email walk@friendshipcircle.ca.

Friendship Circle provides friendship and support to young people with special needs by pairing them up with local teens and volunteers. Pairs are encouraged to do activities together and form a bond. The organization has several volunteer opportunities for all ages. To learn more, visit friendshipcircle.ca/volunteer.

For more information about the event, visit walk4friendship.ca.