Red carpet moment: Down Syndrome Awareness Walk puts participants in spotlight

GREEN BAY – Loving someone means going above and beyond to support one another.

For the Down Syndrome Association of Green Bay, they show their support and love through events like the Down Syndrome Awareness Walk.

“This event gives the community an opportunity to get together and support the Down syndrome community,” said Outreach and Event Coordinator Keri Friebel.

It all started back in 1992, when a couple of families in Green Bay came together to find ways to help support their loved ones with Down syndrome.

Soon enough, the group got bigger and bigger, creating The Down Syndrome Association of Green Bay.

There are several Down Syndrome Associations in Wisconsin that all work together to make sure those with Down syndrome are getting the support they deserve from their community.

This annual event has been going on for some time — Northeast Wisconsin’s 17th year and Green Bay’s seventh year.

The Green Bay Down Syndrome Association serves Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette and Oconto counties.

The event includes a “21 showcase” at 2 p.m., where participants with Down syndrome get to walk the red carpet and say a few things about themselves.

“This is the highlight of the event,” Friebel added.

This year’s theme is “Movies.”

“Their personalities really shine and everyone in the stands gets to cheer them on,” says Keri.

Last year, over 900 people attended the event and raised $100,000.
“We hope to just promote awareness, bring the community together and show the world all the abilities they have to offer” Keri stated.

The event will take place at Capital Credit Union Park, 2231 Holmgren Way, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

To learn more and sign up, visit secure.qgiv.com/event/greenbay2025.

The Pass it Forward™ internship program is sponsored by the Packers Give Back and Nicolet National Bank.