The annual Cochrane Ramada mini-meet on June 2 is one of three events leading up to the huge Show Your Ride for Brandon in August.

Kim Thomas, who co-founded Show Your Ride for Brandon with her daughter Kayla, says its full steam ahead with an expanded itinerary of events.

The Ramada Cochrane, 10 Westside Dr., is now in its third year of hosting the event by allowing the use of their front lot for participants and sponsoring a barbecue. Proceeds go in support of Show Your Ride and the causes it support.

A Poker Rally is being held on June 9 in conjunction with UBAKA, United Bikers Against Child Abuse. For $20, participants get cards for their hand along the route and can enjoy a barbecue at the final stop. It starts in Calgary and ends at Ghost Lake. The registration desk open at 8:30 a.m. and roll out/kicks stands up at 10:30 a.m. sharp. Watch for map and more details.

Auto enthusiasts like to show off their vehicles but they also like to drive, says Thomas. With that in mind, a Cruise to Drumheller will be held on July 7.

Already 167 vehicles have pre-registered for the cruise that starts at the Century Downs just outside Airdrie and makes its way to Drumheller on a secondary paved highway. Departure is 9:30 a.m. sharp. Once in Drumheller, a mini-show is being held by the World's Largest Dinosaur.

"This is a free event," says Thomas. "Come out for the day, enjoy the ride and spend the day in Drumheller with us."

Drumheller was selected as a destination because it was a favourite place to vacation for Thomas and her children. Brandon enjoyed going there, she says, and was particularly fascinated by the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site. He always wanted to go on its underground mine tour but it wasn't open at the time.

"I told Brandon when it opened we'd go there."

Unfortunately, Brandon never did get a chance. At age 17, he was killed by an impaired driver on Dec. 6, 2012 just south of Cochrane on Hwy. 22.

The 6th Annual Show Your Ride for Brandon Thomas is being held on Aug. 25 in Lots 25 A&B of the Calgary Stampede. Last year it attracted nearly 800 vehicles.

Besides its many popular features, there's a new scavenger hunt that will take participants around the lots. The final item on the list is locating Kim Thomas and that will be the most daunting challenge because she's always on the move.

Also new is a digital photo booth.

Other favourites like the children's parade, dyno testing, RC vehicles and the Battle of the Technician are also expected to return.

As usual, there are many great raffle prizes up for grabs and trophies awarded in a number of categories.

Proceeds from this year's event go to scholarships at both SAIT and Cochrane High, the Show Your Ride for Brandon Victims Fund and UBAKA.

The event has raised over $70,000 since its inception while continuing to strike out for mandatory jail sentences for impaired drivers causing death.