Down Syndrome Festival & 5K (formerly the Buddy Walk)

• Down Syndrome Festival & 5K:- Run 3.1 Miles

The Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO) will host its annual Down Syndrome Festival & 5K (formerly the Buddy Walk) at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Sept. 26, 2015.

The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. and the awareness walk (approximately four city blocks) will begin at 9:30 a.m. Gates to the ballpark will open and the festival fun begins at approximately 9:40 a.m. This year’s activities include games, inflatables, an extreme animal exhibit and entertainment for all ages. The event is expected to draw nearly 6,000 people.

Registration for the 5K is $35/person and includes a t-shirt and medal for all finishers registered by Sept. 11, 2015. Participating in the awareness walk and entry into the festival are free.

This will be the 21st annual awareness walk held in Oklahoma City to raise funds and promote DSACO’s mission to “raise awareness and provide resources, as well as promote acceptance and inclusion for people with Down syndrome.”

People with Down syndrome are born with an extra copy of their 21st chromosome. The theme of this year’s event is “21 Years Celebrating the 21st Chromosome.”

The Festival & 5K is the largest annual fundraiser for DSACO. Funds raised help the organization accomplish its goals through programs such as microwave-based cooking classes for teens and adults with Down syndrome, a computer lab and tutoring center, distribution of new parent packets, quarterly workshops, parent to parent support meetings and scholarships to the National Down Syndrome Congress annual convention.

To learn more about participating in the Down Syndrome Festival & 5K visit www.dsfestivaland5k.com. For information about the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma please visit www.dsaco.org.