This was the first Buddy Walk for me. Jason, Ellie and Evan had gone last year. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't even know what I hoped to gain from it.
When we arrived, we received t-shirts and pedometers. There was live music and several carnival type games which the kids won prizes such as bubbles, stuffed animals (this year must be the year of the gazelle or antelope or goat - there's still discussion to what the animal actually is) and pinwheels. There were tours of firetrucks, face painting, and people handing out Wyoming pom poms.
We saw a couple families from Casper and hung out a bit with friends. The mom and I and our kids with DS got matching Buddy Walk "tattoos"! We met a family that had been staying at the same hotel we were.
The Wyoming Cowboy cheerleaders came to show us a few cheers for the football coming up. Pistol Pete (Wyo Cowboys mascot) came around shaking hands and getting photos taken.
Then there was a dance party. Kids of all ages with Down Syndrome came on to the amphitheater to get their party on! There is definitely an affinity for music in this group!
Governor Mead and Senator Barrasso said a few words and then it was time to WALK. The firetrucks led the way for over a thousand walkers. We walked from the park to the stadium with some neighbors even coming out to greet the walkers!
Chik-fil-a donated lunch which was a chicken sandwich, chips and a cookie. We sat in Tailgate Park until the game started.
Jason and Evan stayed for the game while Eric, Ellie, Elana, Carlee and I headed back to the hotel to rest up from the excitement and heat of the day. Almost around halftime, a couple storms blew in and we went to pick up Jason and Evan. It was a wonderful day, celebrating the lives of those with Down Syndrome and their families!
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