Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor
RVA Duck Fest brought families, community organizations and vendors together on Aug. 22 at CarMax Park for a day centered on autism awareness, inclusion and connection.
The Autism Society of Central Virginia hosted the event, formerly known as the RVA Duck Race & Festival. Duck Fest featured live music, organization booths and new activities, including the chuck-a-duck contest – a game where guests throw rubber ducks into duck-shaped inflatables for a chance to win prizes.
The ASCV organization uses events like Duck Fest to help people connect with others and find social opportunities and support, said Kate Fletcher, community engagement manager for ASCV.
Fletcher has attended Duck Fest since its first year and has worked with ASCV at the past two events, along with her family.
The ASCV provides caregiver support groups and connects families with resources, along with 400 programs each year for people of all ages and support needs.
“It is really to say come as you are and we welcome all and we try to make all of our programs adapted and suitable no matter what level of support an individual needs,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher’s three sons have autism and have participated in ASCV programs, including spring break and summer camps for more than a decade, making the event more personal to her.
Seeing Waddles, the ASCV mascot, interact with attendees was one of Fletcher’s favorite parts of the festival, along with the addition of the chuck-a-duck game and raffle.
More than 50 booths showcased their products and services throughout the festival.
Olivia Patterson, physician liaison at Above & Beyond Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapy, attended Duck Fest as a first time vendor at CarMax. The company previously held a booth when the event was located at Brown’s Island.
Above & Beyond ABA Therapy works with children in homes and centers to provide therapy and addresses areas such as behavioral changes, routine and socialization to help children with autism to learn to navigate challenges and move forward with their best lives, Patterson said.
“In my role as a physician liaison, I am continuously networking with the community and everyone that may come in contact with a child with autism, and being able to be surrounded by people that are here to provide resources for these children, for these families, is wonderful to be a part of,” Patterson said.
Events like Duck Fest give families an opportunity to find resources, meet other families and make connections that can continue outside the festival, Patterson said.
“It’s about really building that community because it does take a community to care for these children,” Patterson said.
Patterson said she enjoyed watching children explore the activities at the festival and seeing what each child gravitated toward.
Lizzy Collinson, a program assistant at Dash and Scout, attended Duck Fest for the first time and said it was uplifting to be part of an event centered on inclusion and community.
Dash and Scout works with adults with autism, down syndrome and developmental disabilities to build independent living skills, according to Collinson.
“It means that we’re empowering everyone to come together and support our community,” Collinson said. “We don’t see that very often and I think we need to do it more.”
Organizations such as Dash and Scout can help fill a gap for adults with disabilities who may lose access to some services after turning 21, Collinson said. The event also had a simple appeal for Collinson.
“It’s just friendly, it’s just fun,” Collinson said. “There’s ducks involved. I love ducks.”
Families came out to support the event, connect with others and find resources in the welcoming, sensory-friendly environment.
Nicole Braxton, an attendee whose daughter is diagnosed with level one autism and ADHD, returned to Duck Fest this year after finding the resources at last year’s event helpful.
“It’s really helpful to see, sometimes in normal everyday, it’s hard to realize that you’re not the only person that has struggles,” Braxton said.
Braxton said she appreciated the welcoming atmosphere at the vendor booths, where her daughter could explore and interact with items without being discouraged from touching them.
Braxton appreciates that ASCV provides events specifically for neurodivergent children and families, giving them opportunities to participate in activities designed with their needs in mind.
“I like the resources and how it doesn’t just end here, like, if there’s something that you need, there’s lots of resources that you can reach out to, other organizations and companies, going forward for more help,” Braxton said.