2026

Buddy Walk
Family Fun Day

Thank you to every walker, team, sponsor and volunteer who made the 2026 Buddy Walk Family Fun Day such a great day. The 2027 date is coming soon, so watch here for details.

2027 date coming soon
Lake County Fairgrounds

A Day That Looks Like This

One morning, hundreds of neighbors, and a whole lot of green. Here is what the day looked like.

Hundreds of walkers heading out under the Buddy Walk Family Fun Day balloon arch at the Lake County Fairgrounds
A Buddy Walk Family Fun Day team gathered together at the start line
Friends in Buddy Walk Family Fun Day t-shirts laughing together at registration
A young walker in a Buddy Walk Family Fun Day t-shirt out on the field
Families walking together on a fall morning at the Buddy Walk Family Fun Day
A dad carrying his son on his shoulders at the Buddy Walk Family Fun Day
A family holding up their hand-made Buddy Walk Family Fun Day team sign
Families entering the pavilion under the Friends Welcome balloon arch
Grand Marshal

Who leads the walk

Every year, one family leads the Buddy Walk from the front. Olivia Longo is our 2026 Grand Marshal. The 2027 Grand Marshal comes out of a drawing: every team that raises $1,000 or more is entered, and each additional $1,000 earns another entry.

Sophia Grace Stephan, 2022 Grand Marshal
2022
Cait O’Rourke, 2023 Grand Marshal
2023
Autumn Moon Blauw, 2024 Grand Marshal
2024
Cole Thompson, 2025 Grand Marshal
2025
Olivia Longo, 2026 Grand Marshal
2026
A Buddy Walk Family Fun Day walker laughing at registration

Want to Sponsor in 2027?

Sponsorship packages for the 2027 Buddy Walk Family Fun Day open soon. Email us and we will send them your way as soon as they are ready.

Mail forms & checks toDSANWI
2167 US 41
Schererville, IN 46375
SponsorsEmail your company logo as a JPEG or PNG to [email protected]

Team pages are still open for donations, and every gift supports DSANWI programs all year long. See you in 2027!