Step Up for Down Syndrome is our signature fundraising and community building event, held every year on the third & fourth Sunday of September as a kickoff to Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Each year, nearly 5,000 people join us at Como Park and 300 in Duluth to celebrate our amazing community, to raise awareness about issues facing our community, and to raise funds to further our mission. Sometimes how organizations raise their money is at odds with their inclusive mission. Step Up is the opposite. Everyone is invited and registration is accessible to all at just $8 per walker.
This year we have two in person events, click below to find out more.
Step Up North - September 21, 2025 Wade Stadium, Duluth 3:00pm
More information to come.
Step Up Statewide - September 28, 2025 Como Park, St. Paul 10:00am
Pre-Walk concert featuring world renowned children's performer Laurie Berkner!
Step Up truly gives us the platform to live out our mission to EMPOWER. CONNECT. CELEBRATE.
Join us to & Celebrate!
- September 21, 2025: Step Up North Event @ Wade Park in Duluth
- September 28, 2025: Step Up Statewide Event @ Como Park in St. Paul
Schedule for Step Up Minnesota - 9/28 - 10AM - 2PM
- 9:00AM: On-site registration, t-shirt pick up, and merchandise sales open. Bandana Square parking shuttle service begins.
- 10:00AM: Event starts with Laurie Berkner Concert & Program. Food trucks open for business.
- 11:00AM: Awareness Walk Starts. On-site registration and t-shirt pick up closes.
- 12:00PM: After party begins.
- 2:00PM: Event ends; food truck service ends, merchandise sales close.
- 2:30PM: Last shuttle to Bandana Square parking.
Schedule for Step Up North - 9/21 - 3PM - 6PM
- 2:00PM: On-site registration, t-shirt pick up, and merchandise sales open.
- 3:00PM: Event starts with emcee Dick Bremer & Program.
- 4:00PM: Awareness Ballgame. On-site registration and t-shirt pick up closes.
- 4:30PM: After party begins.
- 6:00PM: Event ends, merchandise sales close.
Not available the weekend of the walk? We'd still love to celebrate with you!
You can still start a team and celebrate your team anytime!! Let us know you will be celebrating virtually or on a different weekend, and we can arrange getting your shirts and any incentives to you!
We wanted our 2025 shirt to celebrate our community and the work we do in Advocacy and Outreach. The front of the shirt features the words and a megaphone valuing all of the voices in our community, both verbally and nonverbally. We value each and everyone of you and the work we can do together to Empower, Connect & Celebrate. We are so thankful to our graphic artist (and rockin' mom) Kimberly Vega. We hope you love it as much as we do.
Note: There is a slight price increase this year.
Registration/shirts are now $8 ($11 shipped). This is an increase of $1.
