Community Fest - A Smashing Success!

Why We Celebrated

CRi wanted to create a fun environment where individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers could enjoy themselves. On May 10, CRi held Community Fest, a festival dedicated to meeting and supporting their needs. Community Fest was built upon the success created at Summerfest and took the celebratory event to the next level.

Like Summerfest, Community Fest had a range of activities made accessible to people of all abilities and needs—with more options to engage more members of the community. CRi envisioned Community Fest taking place at a larger venue, allowing CRi to offer even more of these accessible activities to attendees. Guests were encouraged to participate in various activities such as face painting, bingo, fair games, dancing, textured food options, caricature drawings, karaoke, and more!

The Scene

Community Fest took place at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, a spacious venue famous for its summer festival performances – which attracts half of a million visitors a year. Booking this location was a huge honor for CRi and goes to show the incredible evolution our organization has gone through over the last year. The upgrade in venue was reflected in the turnout with 517 attendees from both CRi and outside providers—a 33% increase from the 2024’s Summerfest guest list. What a great way to commence the celebration of CRi’s 50^th Anniversary!

The venue was beautiful – green trees dappled in golden morning light swayed over fields of grass. Both pavilions were decorated in bright, primary colors. Pastel balloon arrangements were tied to every pillar. Potted red and yellow flowers sat at each table surrounded by fidget toys and other various knick-knacks. Rainbow pinwheels spun in the cool breeze as volunteers in bright green t-shirts found their stations throughout the event.

At 11:00 am, guests started to arrive. Individuals and caregivers of all ages waited in line. Upon their entrance, all guests received a CRi a wrist band, a popper fidget toy, and drawstring bag to hold the prizes they won in games. Voices and laughter slowly grew from a murmur to a rumbling chorus.

Families, individuals, and caregivers mingled, carrying buttery popcorn, sweet cotton candy, and shaved ice in cups marked “The Plucky Ostrich.” The Plucky Ostrich, an enterprise run by DC’s Waterfront Church, provides opportunities for adults with special needs to develop skills necessary for independence and employment.

In the upper pavilion, specifically designed for individuals with sensitivity to loud noises, bingo was underway. The prize table was filled with everything from toys to games to mugs. Just passed the giant chess board, the caricature artists speedily captured the smiles of individuals happy to have found belonging.

In the lower pavilion, volunteers staffed game booths to ensure that individuals and their caregivers had an extra fun day. To the left of the game booths, individuals and caregivers waited in line to be covered by airbrushed tattoos and glittery face paint. To the right of entering the pavilion, princesses and dragons were crafted from balloons and carried around like trophies.

Music began to play. Individuals and caregivers flocked to karaoke, performing songs ranging from Bonnie Tyler’s 1983 ballad “Total Eclipse of the Heart” to Justin Bieber’s 2010 breakthrough hit “Baby.” Individuals, caregivers, and volunteers moved to the beat and danced together playfully on the floor or in their seats.

Our Amazing Volunteers

Forty-eight dedicated volunteers settled into their assignments throughout Community Fest: at booth games and around bingo tables, ready to greet guests. Laughter could be heard throughout the venue as strangers became friends. As they talked amongst themselves, we were inspired by their stories and what led them to Community Fest.

Joshua Roberts, to name one volunteer with a heartwarming story, made fast friends with two CRi staff members as they ran the resource table. In their conversations, Joshua shared why he felt compelled to help as soon as he learned about Community Fest. “My mother has Cerebral Palsy,” he explains. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a developmental disability diagnosed early in childhood that impacts an individual’s motor skills. Joshua says his family are huge proponents for supporting people with CP and developmental disabilities. After learning about CRi, Joshua knew he wanted to be a part of its community.

Two other volunteers, a mother and son, said they heard about Community Fest through the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL). YMSL is a non-profit organization that brings mothers and their sons together through volunteer and philanthropy opportunities. CRi hopes to do more work with organizations like YMSL in the future. Volunteering helps youth build important skills such as empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Exposing young people to non-profit missions, especially missions like CRi’s, can help reduce stigma surrounding IDD and hopefully make for a more accepting and inclusive world.

Joy and Togetherness

What stood out most during Community Fest was the joy. Everyone was thrilled to be out and about in the sun, enjoying each other’s company and the great weather. Children of caregivers observed their parents at work and caregivers watched their individuals experience something new. Individuals were able to mingle with friends and express themselves in ways they may not necessarily get to at home. 

One of the most heartwarming moments of the event was watching a very special reunion between CRi staff and an individual who had come back to visit.

Lila Corey, a clinical director of CRi’s mental health services, shared her story. Lila was spotted by an individual who had not been with CRi for years. “It was so nostalgic ... He was one of the first individuals I worked closely with when I started with CRi in 2007,” she said fondly. “He was so excited to introduce me to his fiancé … they had been friends for as long as I’ve known them!”

That same individual had an encounter with Audra Gibson, CRi’s Recreation Therapy Manager. They were spotted greeting each other with a huge hug and large, matching grins. The individual could be heard proudly introducing his fiancé with a flourish.

Both Lila and Audra were visibly thrilled to see that someone they had worked with for so many years had found a special partner for life. This individual is an example of CRi’s mission come true: an individual who chose his path, received respect, and discovered his independence to love who he loves and live how he wishes.

A Massive "Thank You"

CRi extends a special thank you to Events USA for its generosity and planning such a successful event--as well as our other sponsors for their general support: Colliers, Wells Fargo, and Robert & Maura Reiver. We would also like to thank our board members and Margaret Graham, Director, Loudoun County Community Services Board (CSB), for joining our celebration. And finally, thank you to the wonderful caregivers who work hard every day to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You are all heroes! We look forward to seeing you all next year for CRi’s 2026 Community Fest!