Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Cincinnati
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Saturday, May 2, 2026
10:30 AM | Hamilton, OH
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Friendship Walk! Through your amazing efforts, we raised vital funds and awareness to sustain and expand our local Best Buddies programs. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event. With your support, our mission of friendship and inclusion is stronger than ever!
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Join more than 50,000 participants at 80 events across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time.
See More Event Details
Registration
All attendees MUST register. It is very helpful for our planning team if you register in advance. If you are not able to register before the event, please visit the registration tent once you arrive to register onsite.
T-Shirt Pick-Up
Every registered walker who raises $50 or more gets a Friendship Walk T-shirt! Please visit the T-Shirt Pick-Up tent on event day to grab yours. Check out our other awesome incentives if you decide to be a Best Buddies Supporter and fundraise for the mission.
Food & Beverages
Snacks and drinks will be provided for free to all registered walkers and volunteers. Each participant is provided a slice of LaRosa’s pizza as well as water. Other treats will include fruit and candy..
Route Details
The Friendship Walk route is a 1-mile paved path that is flat. Four laps around the park equals 1 mile.
Accessibility
The Friendship Walk route is wheelchair accessible and is paved. Accessible parking is also available. Some tents will be on grassy areas. If you need assistance with a wheelchair or accessing any of these areas, please alert our volunteers. Portions of this event will include loud sounds or music. Additionally, some foods may contain allergens such as gluten so be sure to read package ingredients on the food.
Activities
Enjoy face painting, yard games, mini golf, a live DJ, musical performances, meeting special mascots and guests, and more at our event!
Dogs
Dogs are allowed at Marcum Park but must be leashed and owners must pick up after their dogs.
Weather
We walk rain or shine and since Spring in Ohio is difficult to predict, please come prepared with sunscreen, cold weather clothes, or umbrellas. If there is lightning, we will postpone the event. Please stay up to date on weather and look out for our communications.
Parking
There is convenient street parking available (please bring payment for meters). A parking garage is also nearby at 1 Riverfront Plaza by the Courtyard Marriott Hamilton. Do not park at The Marcum Apartments or Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton.
Follow us
On Facebook and Instagram! Take pictures with your phones and post to social media using the hashtags #BestBuddies #FriendshipWalk
Schedule
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Check-in: 10:30 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 11:15 AM
Walk: 11:45 AM
Celebrate Until: 1:00 PM
Location
Marcum Park
116 Dayton St
Hamilton, OH 45011
Walk Route
Approximately 1 mile
Event Contact
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Fundraising Rankings
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
Below are the rankings of the top 100 individuals and teams for this year’s event.
Supporting Local Programs
Funds raised through the Friendship Walk benefits Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
caseygoldmandavis@bestbuddies.org
Best Buddies in Ohio
PO Box 45353
Westlake, OH 44145
Frequently Asked Questions
Every person who raises $50 or more will receive the official Best Buddies Friendship Walk t-shirt on walk day. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting a more inclusive world and going the extra mile! Want to make sure you receive this year’s shirt? Get registered and start fundraising today!
First things first: Thank you! Your donation will count toward your child’s fundraising total, so they will be the one who earns the t-shirt. Want to make sure you receive one? Register to walk alongside them, make a donation of $50 or more, and the shirt is all yours on walk day!
We do! Simply bring it with you to the walk or contact your local Best Buddies office. Online donations are the easiest and safest, most secure way to give to Best Buddies, but either way — you’re making a difference!
Absolutely! Volunteers are vital to the success of the Friendship Walk, whether it’s assisting with event planning, day-of support, and more. Want to sign up to volunteer? Contact your local Best Buddies staff member — scroll up on the page one section to find more information!
Service animals are always welcome at the Friendship Walk! However, the allowance of other pets depends on the specific venue. For more information regarding bringing non-service animals, please reach out to your local Best Buddies staff member.
Best Buddies does not sell, share, or rent personal information collected through our website’s registration or donation forms. For more information, visit bestbuddies.org/privacy-policy