Thanks to our 2019 #BuddyFestNW Sponsors and In-Kind Donors!
Event Leaderboard
Buddy Fest NW 2018! 20th Anniversary Celebration Photographs by FickleZeal
Our Past Celebrations! Share memories and pictures with us at buddyfestpix@nwdsa.org!
Donate or participate to the 2019 Buddy Fest NW silent auction and raffle! It is a FUNdraiser after all!
Get Involved!
 It takes community to throw a great community event and we need your help pursuing sponsorship, procuring items for our silent auction and raffle, and all other things that make Buddy Fest NW a memorable celebration of our lives with Down syndrome!
Questions? Work at a company that wants to sponsor the event, donate to the silent auction or raffle, or has volunteer hours to contribute day of?
Please contact us at buddyfestnw@nwdsa.org or 503-238-0522.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and supported the 21st Annual #BuddyFestNW celebrating the extra 21st chromosome on September 21, 2019! What a grand day of community and disability pride! Save the date for next year -- September 19, 2020!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
10am-1:30pm
Moda Center Commons
Register online by Sept. 19th
Registration Fees:
Adult 18 & Up:Â $15
Child 4 thru 17:Â $10
Age 3 & under: Free!
Let's celebrate Down syndrome and the strength of our community while supporting the dreams and possibiilites of people experiencing Down syndrome! Registration includes a 2019 Buddy Fest NW t-shirt, an accessible walk, food & drink, and all the fun we can pack into a festival! Online registration is available until noon on Sept. 19th. Please register online to avoid long lines the day of Buddy Fest NW.
Donations received by Sept. 19th qualify for these prizes (awarded at the walk)
- Teams raising $3,500 or more earn an iPad Mini!
- Teams raising $1,500-$3,499 earn a Kindle Fire!
In addition:Â
- Our top fundraising team will earn a photo opportunity with keynote speaker, Karen Gaffney, and the opportunity to kick off our accessible walk!
- Our top individual fundraiser will earn a Pumper Car!
What you provide when you support Buddy Fest NW!
Funds Raised at Buddy Fest NW help empower and support families and individuals, connect new parents to the community, increase education and promote public understanding and acceptance, increase competence of professionals, work toward full inclusion, and defend the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. Key programs and activities, offered in English and Spanish, include:
- New Parent Outreach and Ongoing Support
- Healing Hearts Booklets
- Open Arms Playgroups (Portland, Vancouver, Hillsboro, and Salem)
- Winter and Summer Socials
- Medical and Genetic Outreach
- Social Justice Youth Program
- Parent and Self-Advocacy
- Reciprocal Learning Community Workshops and other community training opportunities
- Resourcefulness Center Access and Drop-in Hours
- Event Calendar, Newsletters, and Website
- Community Partnership and Education
- World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
Sponsorship of Buddy Fest NW supports local families who work to create full inclusive lives for their children with Down syndrome. Your sponsorship makes this meaningful day possible and supports our work valuing relationships, social justice, equity, diversity, and self-determination. Buddy Fest NW includes and seeks help with:
- Community Celebration
- Accessible Walk
- New Parent Connections
- Keynote SpeakersÂ
- Music
- Games
- Bounce Houses
- Character Appearances
- Face Painters
- Balloon Artists
- Photo Opportunities
- Food and Refreshment
- Festival T-shirt
- Silent Auction & Raffle
- Down Syndrome Pride
Our Keynote Speaker is....
Local Advocate and Leader, Karen Gaffney!
Karen is dedicated to championing the journey to full inclusion in families, schools, the workplace and the community for people with developmental disabilities. She is doing this by creating awareness and calling attention to the tremendous capabilities of people with disabilities. Karen has presented in front of schools, universities, businesses, Down syndrome support conferences, state legislatures, and in foreign countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, Ireland and more and we are thankful Karen is able to join us!
Entertainment provided by...
Emcee Tony Starlight!!!
Tony Starlight returns for his 9th year as Buddy Fest NW emcee! He adds such joy, wit, and charm to the day and we appreciate him so much! Tony is a performer and venue owner who's been entertaining Portland and beyond with music and comedy for over 20 years.Â
Wallace!!!
Wallace is on a mission to move us! A collection of Portland's most stalwart musicians including long time NWDSA supporter, Newell Briggs, have combined forces to share singer/songwriter Erin Wallace's new independent project. Wallace's brand of rock, soul, blues and pop-influence lyricism is guaranteed to shake the shack and raise the roof! Wallace celebrates with us for the second year!Â
Happenstance
Sweet Adelines International registered quartet with a repertoire spanning traditional barbershop, jazz, swing, and pop!Â
facebook.com/happenstancequartet/
PDX Bubble Boys
"Spreading Smiles throughout the World, One Bubble at a Time"
Â
Buddy Fest NW promotes acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome. The walk brings together participants from Portland metro and SW Washington – family members, friends, professionals, community leaders and individuals with Down syndrome.
NWDSA's mission is to create and nurture a loving and inclusive community celebrating every individual with a disability, including Down syndrome.
October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We invite you to share your knowledge of the potential of individuals with Down syndrome with others in your community.
Parking Pass
This parking pass will be required for discount parking until 1pm the day of Buddy Fest. Printable PDF available in downloads section below.Â
A huge THANK YOU to Team Bullwinkles for their FIRST PLACE fundraising efforts last year!
2018 Top Teams
Way to go teams! Thank you!!!
- Team Bullwinkles
- Dan's Vikings
- Soleyl's Bright Shine
- Archer's Team
- Team Olav
Â
2018 Top Individual Fundraisers
Way to go fundraisers! Thank you!!!
- Eric Cerdena
- Shannon Larissey
- JD Scobba
- Donovan Smith
- Lorraine Daily
Our Newest Participants
-
Karen Robinson
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-