The 2024 MDSC Buddy Walk is this Sunday, October 13th, and we cannot wait to celebrate with you at Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield!
THANK YOU and your friends and family for being a part of the largest celebration of the Down syndrome community in Massachusetts! You have all helped raise funds to directly support vital MDSC programs, services, and advocacy efforts! When you spread the word on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or Instagram, be sure to tag the MDSC (@themdsc) and use our event hashtags #MDSCWalks #Unstoppable. We are confident that we can achieve our goal with your continued outreach efforts!
Walk-ins are welcome! Please note that walk-in registration rates are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (22 and under). Only participants who pre-registered before 11:59 PM on Thursday , October 10th will be guaranteed a Buddy Walk t-shirt. T-shirts for walk-ins are first come, first serve while supplies last. The Buddy Walk is RAIN or SHINE, so please dress accordingly. You may bring a blanket or lawn chairs if you would like to set-up a spot for your team to sit. NOTE: pop-up tents are not permitted by the town of Wakefield.
IMPORTANT DAY OF EVENT DETAILS
Schedule of Events:
11:30 AM - Registration & Exhibitor Tents open
12:00 PM - Balloon artists, magicians, and costumed characters on field, Mister Vic musical instruments, Knucklebones, children's activities open, MDSC exhibit tables open. Note: You must be in line by 1:15 PM for the balloon artists.
12:05 PM - Stage Entertainment & Opening Ceremony - Emcee, Ray Villeda, Boston25 News
- Buddy Walk Dance Team
- Graham Campbell, Performance
- Fionn & Jonathan Angus, Performance
- National Anthem by Official Boston Bruins Singer, Todd Angilly
- Welcome Remarks
- Award Ceremony
- Walk Kick Off Song
1:30 PM - Official Beginning of Walk around Lake Quannapowitt
2:45 PM – Post-Walk Dance Party with DJ Dan
Buddy Walk Day-of Activities:
- Live Stage Entertainment
- Face Painters
- Balloon Artists
- Mister. Vic Musical Instruments
- Touch-A-Truck Provided by Cataldo Ambulance
- Knucklebones
- Costume Characters
- Field Games
- Arts & Crafts
- Post-Walk Dance Party
- And much more!
Food Services:
- There will be no pre-purchased bagged lunches this year.
- You are welcome to pack a picnic lunch to eat at the Buddy Walk or purchase food from La Qchara and INspire Cafe. The food vendors will be onsite from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM and will be offering a variety of options, including tacos, nachos, tortas, apple cider, donuts, cookies and more!
- In addition, there will be donated snacks and water for free! Gluten free snacks will be available.
Stop by the Exhibitor's Tents!
- MDSC Programs
- First Call (New and Expectant Families): Families are invited to visit the play area with Sarah Cullen next to the MDSC First Call Table, weather permitting
- Familias Latinas MDSC
- Teen and Adult Programming
- Legislative Advocacy
- Education Resources
- Grandparents Support Group
- Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (DADS)
- Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program
- Boston Children’s Hospital Down Syndrome Program
- Rosas Lab - MGH
- LuMind IDSC Foundation
- Boston 25 News
Walk Route:
It is a 3.2 mile walk around Lake Quannapowitt, and you can choose to walk the entire route or walk part of the distance around the lake! There will be water stops around the route. The MDSC will have shuttle bus service around the walk route with two (2) stops where walkers can be picked up, if needed.
Click here to view the Buddy Walk Route Map
Click here to view the Common Map
Directions and Parking to the Buddy Walk:
Parking Garage Address: 100 Quannapowitt Parkway, Wakefield
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS CONSTRUCTION AT THE HEAD OF THE LAKE. YOU MUST USE EXIT 57 (NORTH AVE) off I-95 FOR ALL PARKING.
COMING FROM NORTH OF WAKEFIELD
- I-95 South to Exit 57 for North Ave
- Turn left onto North Ave
- At the stop light, turn left onto Quannapowitt Parkway
- Continue on Quannapowitt Parkway to 100 Quannapowitt Pkwy (the surface lot and parking garage will be on your left)
COMING FROM SOUTH OF WAKEFIELD
- I-95 North to Exit 57 for North Ave
- Turn right onto North Ave
- At the stop light, turn left onto Quannapowitt Parkway
- Continue on Quannapowitt Parkway to 100 Quannapowitt Pkwy (the surface lot and parking garage will be on your left)
There is no charge to park in the garage! Continuous shuttle buses will run to and from these lots and the Wakefield Common between the hours of 10:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
Special Notes:
- Water Trailer - the MWRA water trailer will be onsite at the Parking Garage (100 Quannapowitt Pwky) – we are encouraging walkers to bring a reusable water bottle.
- Pets: because there are many small children at the walk, some of whom can become stressed if they encounter animals on the field, we discourage people from bringing dogs. (Exception for service animals.)
- Memorial Tree: if you are walking in memory of a loved one, please visit the MDSC Memorial Tree along the walk route. Please refer to the route map for the tree location. It is off the sidewalk, along the lake down the towpath. There will be a sign and flowers at the memorial tree.
- Lost items: please bring any lost items to the Volunteer tent.
- Please note: We anticipate a sizable crowd and that the sound from the speakers is quite loud and travels throughout Wakefield Common. That said, we encourage you to bring noise canceling headphones for your loved one if they are sensitive to excess noise.
We appreciate you continuing to spread awareness before, during and after Sunday with your social networks. When you post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, be sure to tag @theMDSC and use our event hashtags #MDSCWalks and #Unstoppable.
If you have any questions, please email us at buddywalk@mdsc.org. If you need to contact us on the day of the event, please email mdsc@mdsc.org.
From everyone at the MDSC, thank you for the incredible work you have done over the last few months in preparation for the Buddy Walk! We look forward to celebrating with you on Sunday!
Warm Regards,
Reaghan Bik
MDSC Development Director
Maureen Gallagher
MDSC Executive Director