A free barbecue and dance party is being held to celebrate Community Inclusion Month.
This year, participants will be able to take part in rock painting activities with Sandra & Gary Solon, purchase crafted items from the local entrepreneur marketplace, do balloon twisting with Bubblegum & Dilly the Clown, and dance to the groove of local musician James Thorhaug and his band.
The annual event is put on by the Inclusion Action Committee, (formerly the LAST Committee), with support from Community Living BC, to celebrate the abilities and achievements of people in the community with developmental disabilities.
Margaret Cleaver, child and youth supervisor at Ridge Meadows Association for Community Living and member of the Inclusion Action Committee, noted the event is about everyone being able to find a space in the community where they feel they belong.
“For the past 20 years, our group has organized this popular event to create a space where everyone can relax, have fun, meet old friends and make new ones, and express themselves through art or dancing,” added Cleaver.
Kiwanis Club of Golden Ears will be providing a hot dog lunch.
For those who need a quieter, sensory-friendly space, they can head to the upstairs lounge at the Greg Moore Youth Centre, where they will be able to take a break, colour, work on a Lego project, or just relax.
The Inclusion Action Committee is a group of local service providers that work to support and empower young people with diverse abilities to transition into life after high school.
More information go to: www.inclusionac.org, or, https://www.facebook.com/inclusionac.
The free community barbecue and dance party will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Greg Moore Youth Centre, 11925 Haney Pl., Maple Ridge.