RVA DUCK RACE
About the Festival of Inclusion
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The Festival of Inclusion is a free, sensory-friendly festival designed to accommodate individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Open to the public, the festival will feature live music, local vendors, delicious food, and so much more! Zoned areas throughout the festival will offer fun activities for the whole family, and highlight the incredible work that local organizations are doing to make Richmond a more inclusive city.
Stop by Duck Central to:
- Pick up souvenir ducks, t-shirts and Flagstop Carwash coupon included in your duck entries purchase
- Purchase additional ducks and souvenirs before the race (sales close at 12:30pm)
- Pick up a paper program with the event schedules, booth descriptions, and festival map
As you visit exhibitors throughout the festival, be sure to get your program stamped. 10 stamps earns you a prize! Just turn in your program to the ASCV tent – don't forget to snap a pic at the photo booth!
Festival Activity Zones
Be sure to check out our Sensory Guide charts, letting you know what senses will be engaged by each activity: sound, touch, sight, smell, and taste. Engagement is rated from 1 to 5, with 1 being low engagement, and 5 being high.
Visit the Connection Zone to meet, share, and learn more about inclusive resources and programs available right here in Richmond! The Connection Zone will help you build new relationships with unique and understanding organizations.
Exhibitors
- Autism Play Coaching
- Hanover Project Lifesaver
- Henrico Project Lifesaver
- MHP
- Pyramid Roofing
- Red Cross
- Richmond Project Lifesaver
- Richmond Region Tourism
- Seeds of Hope / We All Belong
- SOAR 365
- Virginia Down Syndrome Association
- Whitten Brothers
- zPods
Let your imagination soar! Featuring a variety of inclusive and adaptive local art groups, visitors to the Creation Zone can immerse themselves in the visual arts. Join in the demonstrations and art projects to express yourself, get creative, and learn more about the maker scene in RVA.
Exhibitors
- KPMG
- AnswersNow
- Art on Wheels
- Attain ABA
- Best Buddies
- Capital One
- Commonwealth Autism
- CoStar Group
- Genworth
- Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
- Nest Academy
- Sentara Therapy Centers
- WHOA Behavioral Health
Looking for adventure? Check out the Exploration Zone to find places to explore both inside and outside! This area will give you a chance to explore new hobbies and make new friends. See what is available right here in Richmond!
Exhibitors
- Allianz Partners
- Autastic Avenues
- Beyond Boundaries
- Blue Octopus
- Camp Hanover
- Children’s Museum of Richmond
- Flagstop Carwash
- Portal Therapy
- Science Museum of Virginia
- The Village (Lil Sprouts Tree House)
- VCU Family and Youth Research Network
- Vistra
Express yourself! Visit the Expression Zone and experience everything from improv to instruments. With a focus on the live and performing arts, learn ways to express your unique talents.
Exhibitors
- Angelina's Shake-a-Stick
- Bilingual Therapy
- Bridge 9
- Kings Dominion
- Miracles in Motion
- MySpectrum Counseling
- Northstar Academy
- REACH
- Special Olympics
- Torchy's Tacos
- Vision of Grace
Jump! Wiggle! Run! The Movement Zone will feature activities to inspire physical agility and coordination! This space is designed to wake up those muscles and get that body moving. Fun for the whole family!
Exhibitors
- Dash and Scout
- Friends of Kat Simons
- Jacob's Chance
- Kickin It Coalition - U of R
- Kroger Mid Atlantic Division Office
- River City Inclusive Gym
- RVA Paddlesports
- Smiles Like Yours
- University of Richmond Athletics
- VCU Athletics
- YMCA of Greater Richmond
The Quiet Zone is a relaxing space away from the noisy elements of the festival. Come and decompress from the more active parts of the festival and rejoin when you are ready! This space is located on the west side of the Island, providing a relaxing, peaceful setting.
NEW THIS YEAR: Pop-Up Rafting with RVA Paddlesports
Ready to hit the river? For just $15, you can enjoy a pop-up rafting excursion during the festival with an experienced guide from RVA Paddlesports. These mini rafting adventures will tackle a small section of the Lower James, including the “Fishladders” and “Pipeline” rapids, and includes a shuttle back to the festival area. Spaces are limited – pre-register today to grab yourself a slot!
Take a break in one of our three Sensory Zones and enjoy fun, engaging activities.
Bring your silliest laughs, best smiles, and most creative self for a photo session with Dominion Care with props and your own personalized Polaroid picture and frame you get to decorate!
Get your hands dirty with Mosaic Pediatric Therapy by planting a beautiful flower to take home with you! They'll also have other family friendly activities for kids to enjoy, from sensory bins or catching a duck in the mini pond.
Enjoy Compass Behavior Group's Rubber Duck Sensory Bin, filled with rice/beans and materials to scoop and play with!
