Walk & Fest – It’s Time! 

Let’s accelerate acceptance! Put on your walking shoes and we will see you at GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo’s GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge Walk & Fest on October 8^th. 

Have questions about what to expect? Here are the details! 

Arriving at the Event

Date: Sunday, October 8, 2023 

Time: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm 

Location: Trollwood Performing Arts School 

801 50^th Ave South 

Moorhead, MN 56560 

*Please note there will be uneven surfaces and gravel on part of the walk route. 

Parking: free parking is available at/near Trollwood Performing Arts School. Overflow parking is in the grassy area next to the paved parking lots.

Pre-Registered Walker: All walkers please check-in at the registration tables located on the grass by Marcil Commons.

Onsite Registration: for anyone that has not registered online, please register at the registration tables located on the grass by Marcil Commons. There is no charge for event attendance the day of, but for insurances purposes we need everyone to register.

Donation Drop-off: Donations collected can be dropped off at the donation table, next to the registration tables. Please make sure all donations are clearly marked with the donor’s name, address, email, and phone number.

Donations Day-of Event: Donations will be accepted the day of the event at the Donation table.

Pre-Order T-Shirt Pickup: T-shirt pickup will be on October 4, 2023, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, October 5, 2023, from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm and Friday, October 6, 2023, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo: 3224 20^th St S., Fargo, ND 58104. Volunteers will be at the reception desk inside the playhouse.

Team Incentive Yard Signs: Your family may take your son or daughter’s yard sign after the Dash for Down syndrome. Yard signs will be available for pick up at the registration table shortly after everyone completes the Dash for Down syndrome.

Schedule of Events

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.

12:00 pm Event registration opens, and the fest kicks off.

Food will be available for purchase from Wood Fire Pizza & Catering

1:30 pm Welcome, Program and Walk Official Start

At this time, everyone will gather by the “Start” line indicated on the map. Please gather your team so everyone is ready to walk by 1:30 pm. We will have a short program to kick off our event as we celebrate acceptance, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and celebrate achievements! After the program everyone will walk at the same time, together.

Kiara Mathis will be singing the National Anthem

Awards will be presented: Sprit Award, Impact Award, Top Fundraising Team Awards

Inspirational Walk 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! 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.

Additional Activities

You are invited to experience additional activities on the Trollwood grounds from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm.

• Games To Go
• The Painted Turtle Face Painting
• LaDitzy, Kidder the Clown and Patty Cake entertaining and dancing clowns
• Walk wands at GiGi’s Playhouse Table
• GiGi’s Playhouse community impact canvas project
• Sponsor and GiGi’s partnership interactive tables
• Karaoke will take place inside (bring your singing voices)
• Food will be available for purchase from Wood Fire Pizza & Catering

Other Information

Restrooms:  Restrooms are available inside the Marcil Pavilion. Handicap accessible restrooms are available inside. See map for location.

Pictures: Interactive picture stations will be set up. We are excited to have AmbBam Studios as our event photographer. Please be sure to tag @gigisplayhousefargo or use the hashtags #GiGisFargoWalk #moveforacceptance #gigisplayhousefargo

Volunteer: To volunteer at our annual GiGiFIT Acceptance Challenge Walk & Fest, sign up via this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f054aa5ad28a5fa7-walk1#/