It’s called the “Buddy Walk”, an event promoting Down Syndrome Awareness, at the Millville Park Saturday (Sept. 11) beginning at 11 a.m.

Maria Leishman is in charge of this annual event.

“This is our fourth year,” said Leishman, “and we have had good support the first three years. But we’re hoping for this year’s to be the best one yet.”

“We will again have Star Wars characters for the kids to hang out with and to get pictures taken with,” she said. “We will also have princesses, that’s new this year. We’ll have lots of fun games with prizes for the whole family. We will have bounce houses; lunch will be available thanks to Texas Roadhouse. Also, prizes from our raffle include a treadmill and bike and many other items.”

Leishman said families from Box Elder County and several Idaho towns are planning to attend Saturday’s event.

Funds raised Saturday help to pay for the organization’s activities for families with Down Syndrome children.

“We meet once a month,” said Leishman. “We also use this money to pay for newborn baskets for new parents going through this experience.”

Leishman said 10 to 15 families participate each month in activities.

She said life expectancy for children born with Down Syndrome has been extended.

“Technology has played a role in that, regarding their heart problems,” said Leishman, “but they’re just like any other kids in so many ways. They have their bad days and they have their extra happy days of loving everybody.”

Registration for the Buddy Walk is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Millville Park. Cost is $25 for a family of four, which includes a t-shirt, lunch and all of the games. Otherwise, individual adult tickets are $10 and children’s tickets are $5 each. Children with Down Syndrome are admitted for free.

A 5K race will start at 10 a.m., with registration at 9:30 a.m.