Get Ready to MOVE for Acceptance!
Put on your walking or running shoes and join us for GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo’s GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge Family Festival on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Trollwood Performing Arts School (Bluestem) in Moorhead, MN. This event is all about coming together to support our community and accelerate acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome!
T-SHIRT PICKUP
Volunteers will be at the reception desk inside the playhouse. Shirts not picked up will be brought to the event on Sunday, October 6th. If you are picking up shirts for your team, please let the Playhouse know so we can have them all together by emailing fargo@gigisplayhouse.org.
Pre-ordered t-shirts can be picked up at GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo during the following times:
- Thursday, October 3: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Friday, October 4: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR ALL
All participants of the GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge event will need to stop at the Registration table to pick up your event wrist band to attend the event. Registration Tables will be by alphabetical order using last name, please send one member of your family to get wrist bands.
Registration will be located on the grass by Marcil Commons. Look for the two white pop-up tents.
Wristbands include access to all the festivities which includes 5k fun run, one-mile inspirational walk, Dash for Down syndrome and family festival.
For anyone not already registered, please register at the registration tables on the grass by Marcil Commons. The event costs $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. GiGi’s will accept cash, check or credit card to register the day of the event. Pre-registration is preferred.
ALL WRISTBANDS for the EVENT will be given out during registration on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
EVENT DETAILS
- Date: Sunday, October 6, 2024
- Time: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
- Location: Trollwood Performing Arts School (Bluestem),
801 50th Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560
Note: The 5k route includes uneven surfaces, gravel, and grass.
Free parking is available at Trollwood Performing Arts School, with overflow parking in nearby grassy areas. Parking attendants in orange vests will guide you until 1:30 pm.
Restrooms are available inside the Marcil Pavilion. Handicap accessible restrooms are available inside. Additional Porta Potties are available by the finish line.
Rain or shine the event is on! The event will be mainly outside, but inside facilities are also available for use on the day of the event. Please make sure you dress accordingly. A map with the event location is attached. Please note if it rains the night before or the day of the event, the map will be modified.
Check out the schedule of events below. Click the times for additional details.
-11:00 am: Event Registration Opens, Family Fest Begins
Food will be available for purchase from Jumbo’s Food Trucks: one truck with traditional menu, second truck serving chicken nuggets and taco in a bag. Come hungry – indoor and outdoor seating will be available.
Ice cream by Addie’s Sunshine Treats – 100% of Addie’s proceeds go to the Spread Your Sunshine Foundation to support children in our community. Ice cream treats are ~$3.00 each.
Additional Water and Sports Drinks will be sold for $1.00 each by GiGi’s Playhouse.
Photobooth sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s Caring Foundation – find the Pix Squad golf cart and get your team photo.
-12:00 pm: – 5k Fun Run
5k Fun Run Hospitality sponsored by Jersey Mike’s and Dare 2 Stand Out.
There will be water stations on the route near mile one and before mile two.
-Immediately Following Program: One-Mile Inspirational Walk and Dash for Down syndrome Official Start
Everyone will start walking at the same time, immediately following the program. Together we have committed to a physical and social movement to accelerate acceptance in our community! The route is indicated on the map below (adjustments will be made if it rains the day before or after the event). We will end at the “Finish” line.
At the “Finish” line, children 12 and under and all individuals with Down syndrome will enter the Dash for Down syndrome lane. We request all parents and other team members walk and cheer all dashers on as they Dash for acceptance and at the end, they will receive a commemorative medal by community volunteers. Medals will be given to attendees who are in person only to ensure all participants get a medal.
At the end of the Dash for Down syndrome feel free to engage in conversation, meet new families, and enjoy all the festival activities.
FAMILY FUN FEST ACTIVITIES
You are invited to experience additional activities on the Trollwood grounds from 11:00 am – 2:30 pm.
- Midwest Bounce House
- Face the Rainbow Face Painting (face painting will only be available from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm)
- Sponsor and GiGi’s partnership interactive tables
- Food will be available for purchase from Jumbo’s Food Trucks
- Sweet treats can be purchased from Addie’s Sunshine Treats
- Pictures: Be sure to stop by Pix Squad’s mobile golf cart to get your team photo sponsored by BCBSND Caring Foundation. Please be sure to tag @gigisplayhousefargo or use the hashtags #GiGiFITAcceptanceChallenge #moveforacceptance #gigisplayhousefargo
EVENT MAP
To download a copy of this map to your device, please click the on the button below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Will the 5k be timed?
- This year’s 5k is a fun run. There will be no official time and no awards for the race as we are all celebrating abilities and acceptance together. You are welcome to time yourself and achieve your own personal best. We promise to celebrate all!
- Is the 5k pavement?
- The route is mainly grass, gravel and uneven surfaces which includes up and down small hills. The route is around the beautiful grounds of Trollwood by the river.
- If I signed up for the one-mile inspirational walk and now want to do the 5k, what do I do?
- You can email fargo@gigisplayhouse.org to let us know prior to the event date so we can update or at registration let them know you would like to participate in the 5k to get the race bib.
- If you signed up for the 5k and now just want to do the one-mile walk, no problem. Let us know by emailing us or letting them know at registration.
- Your registration for the event gets you a wristband to complete all activities.
- Is the event free this year?
- Registration is required to attend the event this year. Wristbands will be given out at registration. Adults $25 and Kids under 12 years $10. Pre-registration is preferred but we will accept cash, check or credit card the day of.
- What should I wear to the event?
- The event is on rain or shine. Wear what is comfortable clothing. Most teams wear their team shirts. We recommend tennis shoes if you plan on walking or running during the event.
- Can I bring my pet?
- Being this is a family friendly event; we ask that you leave your pets at home. Service animals are welcome.
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