NILES — A much-anticipated annual event took place this weekend as members of the Journey of Hope cycling team made a stop and visit at Fairhaven School in Niles.

Ben Galbraith of Washington, project manager for Journey of Hope, said two teams of cyclists left San Francisco in early June and are traveling across the nation raising funds and awareness for people of all abilities.

While in Niles, the team spent time with students at Fairhaven School, where there was a dance and later a concert at Eastwood Field. They also spent the night at the school.

Stephanie Champlin, executive director of the Fairhaven Foundation, said the visit from Journey of Hope riders is a highly anticipated event that has taken place for more than 30 years.

“It is a friendship visit by the cyclists who spend time here at the dance.” she said, noting students are from Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

Galbraith said the mission of Journey of Hope is to raise awareness of the inclusiveness of all people regardless of ability or disability.

He said there are two cycling teams, with a northern team that passes through Ohio, and a central team. Both teams end their 56-day trip on Saturday in Washington, D.C.

Galbraith said the northern team has 25 cyclists and six crew members on the 12,000-mile trip.

“Every day we find somewhere to have a friendship visit. We also give grants to different organizations,” he said.

Galbraith said each cyclist raises $6,500, with a total of $500,000, the total goal of the two teams, which use the funds for grants.

Anna Wojciak of Niles said she likes the cyclists coming to Niles to be with her and others for the afternoon.

Champlin said many at Fairhaven School look forward to the experience every year to interact with the Journey of Hope team.

“It is such a wonderful opportunity for inclusion and celebrating abilities,” Champlin said.

Wojciak said she likes to dance and sing, and it gets to be really fun with all the visitors also dancing.

Organizers for the visit by the cyclists said the event not only brings awareness of people’s abilities, but also provides a day of fun.