Event Information

Step Up Statewide Awareness Event:

September 22, 2024 @ Como Park, St. Paul

 

Walk Day Schedule

This year, you just need to remember 9, 10, 11, 12.

  • Doors open at 9:00
  • Concert at 10:00
  • Walk at 11:00
  • Dance Party at 12:00

Details below:

9:00 AM - Registration/T-Shirt Pick-Up opens; Shuttle service from Bandana Square begins

10:00 AM - Concert for all ages with Laurie Berkner Awards Ceremony & Program immediately following.

11:00 AM - Official Walk Start

12:00 PM - Dance Party with DJ Hunter for all ages, after returning from the walk keep dancing and spending time with friends. Kids area including facepaint and costumed dance companions, catch up with friends at the Self-Advocate tent. 

DSAMN Program Tent is open 9:30AM to 2:00PM

Food Trucks are open 10:00AM to 2:00PM

Merchandise is open 9:30AM to 2:00PM

2:30 - Last Shuttle from Como to Bandana Square Parking

 

Arriving at the Park

Location: The Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk is held at Como Regional Park - Park Midway Picnic Pavilion, also known as East Picnic Grounds or East Pavilions Picnic Area. The official address is 1199 Midway Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55108.

Parking & Shuttle Service: Parking at/near Como Park is limited and can fill up quickly. We will be running continuous shuttles from Bandana Square again this year. Shuttle service starts at 9:00 AM and will run until 2:30 PM. Bandana Square is located at 1021 Bandana Blvd. East in St. Paul.

Registered Walker T-Shirt Pick Up: For walkers who registered on or before Sept. 15, your $7 registration fee included a free t-shirt. T-shirt pick-up for Registered Walkers will be located in the pavilion. It will be marked by large red balloons and balloon pillars. If you already have your shirt (either you choose shipping or your team captain picked it up for you), you do not need to check in. Please plan to pick up your shirt by NOON - Registered Walker T-Shirt Pick Up will close at NOON.

Onsite Registration: Onsite registration is available for $7 per person or a suggested $25.00 donation for a family. The onsite registration fee does not include a free T-shirt but does help cover the cost of renting Como Park and putting on this event. Onsite Registration is located right by the T-shirt pick up tables. Onsite registration closes at NOON.

Team Donation Drop-Off: If you have cash or checks that you have collected and are planning to bring to the walk, there will be attendants at the T-shirt Pick Up and Onsite Registration tables ready to assist.

Information, First-Aid, and Lost & Found: There will be an information kiosk located by the T-shirt check in or ask anyone with a red t-shirt. It will be staffed all day. Staff will have first aid supplies and a walkie-talkie to assist with lost items and lost children/family members.

 

Venue Details

Main Location: Como Regional Park - 1199 Midway Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55108.

Parking & Shuttle Service: Bandana Square - 1021 Bandana Blvd. East in St. Paul.

Walk Route: The full walk route is about 2.2 miles and starts at the far end of the Como Regional Park Field and goes around Lake Como. There will be a shorter route (about 1 mile) that is just around the field. Route will be clearly marked.

There will be large colorful balloons flying high above some key locations to serve as location markers to assist you meeting up with your team, friends and family.

Red for T-shirt Pick Up & Onsite Registration

Blue for Program/Resource Tent

Yellow for New Parent Tent

Pink for Self-Advocate Tent

 

Tips for First Time Visitors

Tracy Hafeman - Senior Director, New & Expectant Parent Program (and veteran Step Up participant) - offers the following tips and tricks to help manage your first walk.

  • Arrive early enough to give yourself plenty of time for parking and shuttle. With over 5,000 people attending, parking spots fill quickly and the crowd can feel a bit intimidating at first. Plan on using the shuttle service from Bandana Square. 
  • Giving yourself plenty of time (and taking a deep breath) will help you feel less overwhelmed! 
  • Please stop by and check out all of the program offerings in the DSAMn Programs & Resources Tent (marked by Blue Balloons). 
  • If you are the parent/family of a child with Down syndrome age 2 and younger, we have a designated New Family area in the Program Tent (marked by Yellow Balloons) that is open all day. It is a great place to meet other families, grab a snack, receive additional resources, and get your "First Walk" sticker.
  • If you are meeting up with family and friends, we encourage you to plan a designated meet up spot using the balloon markers. The New Family Area (Yellow Balloons) is a perfect spot!

 

Other Information

Program Tent: There is a large DSAMn Program Tent located directly next to T-shirt Pick Up. Here you can connect with representatives from all of our programs and services including Family Connectors, New & Expectant Parent Programs, Parent Groups, Grandparent Group and more. Also stop by to meet up with some of our partner sponsors for additional resources. The tent will be staffed and open from 9:00AM - 2:00PM.

 

Food Trucks: We are excited to have 6 food trucks onsite this year. Expect everything from hamburgers to pulled pork sandwiches to burritos and tacos...plus donuts, coffee and ice cream. There will be multiple gluten-free options available.

 

Merchandise & 2025 Calendars: Our merchandise booth will be open 9:00AM to 2:00PM on walk day. You will find DSAMn hoodies, shirts, & new merch and you can order your 2025 Calendars.

 

Donations: The official Step Up Campaign will be open through the month of October to allow for Donations before, during, and shortly after the walk. Please feel free to share our site with others who are interested but may not have donated or yet. https://www.ds-stride.org/stepupminnesota

 

Volunteers Still Needed: We still have just a few volunteer spots open to make the walk a success! Feel free to pass this link along as well. Click HERE to Volunteer!

 

Reducing Waste: In an effort to limit the spread and the amount of single-use plastic, we are asking people to consider bringing a reusable water bottle. We will have a limited amount of bottled water available at the end of the walk. In addition, beverages will be available for purchase at the food trucks.