The strongest men from around the land will pit their skills against each other, flipping huge tires, pulling trucks and dead-lifting kegs as they vie for the Kamloops Strongest Man title.

And the public can put their own muscles to the test by swinging sledgehammers on a vehicle slated for the junk yard, but only if they bring a donation for the food bank.

Twenty to 30 participants from the coast, Prince George, Williams Lake, Edmonton and Calgary will converge here on Saturday, Sept. 8 for the B.C. Extreme Athletics eighth annual event.

A highlight is the farmer's walk, where competitors lift about 120 kilograms in each hand, walk 50 feet, pick up a yoke, and walk back.

Organizer Robin Wright says they're asking the public to bring cash and food donations to help the Kamloops food bank out, "especially after the fire," he said, referring to 1,800 kilograms of food destroyed in an Aug. 2 arson fire when a storage bin burned.

"Mike's Towing is going to be bringing down a vehicle that's going to be scrapped, and by food donation or cash donation the vehicle's going to be available for people to smash, with sledgehammers, bats, whatever."

Small tires and logs will also be available for kids to try lifting.

The event's at McDonald Park and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information on B.C. Strongman can be found at www.xathletes.ca.