Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Cleveland
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Sunday, April 25, 2027
1:00 PM | Cleveland, 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 a signature event series supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Join more than 52,000 participants at over 95 Friendship Walks across the globe to create more opportunities for people with IDD through Best Buddies
See More Event Details
Event Schedule & Information
We will walk rain or shine so be sure to plan accordingly based on weather. Don’t forget sunscreen, umbrellas, jackets, hats, and refillable water bottles.
Directions: Google Maps
Check-in: Opens at 1:00 PM and closes at 1:45 PM
Opening Ceremonies: 1:45 PM inside the ballpark, on the infield.
Walk Begins: 2:15 PM
Entertainment
All activities and games remain available until 4:00 PM
Parking
Parking is FREE!
Accessibility Info
Crushers Stadium is accessible for all individuals. The elevator is situated inside the front gates to the right and provides access to all levels of the stadium, including the ground level, concourse level, and suite/club level.
Pets
Although we love your furry friends, the venue does not allow pets. Credentialed service animals only.
Activities
Poster making station, friendship bracelet making, and dancing at the DJ booth! Graduating seniors who are members of an official Best Buddies Friendship Chapter should pick up their graduation cords at the mission table! Meet & Greet with Superheroes to Kids in Ohio.
Food & Drink
Dasani water provided by Coca-Cola, Uncrustables provided by The J.M. Smucker Co., Muffins provided by Boundless Health, and Fruit & Granola Bars provided by Whole Foods in Rocky River.
There is Still Time…
Raise or Donate $50 before walk day, and you’ll score the awesome Friendship Walk T-shirt to wear with pride that you can collect at registration! You’ve got this! 🔥
Each registered walker that raises $25 or more will receive a FREE ticket to Opening Day for the Lake Erie Crushers 2027 season, courtesy of the Lake Erie Crushers and Forefront Field. Additional tickets will be available for purchase if needed.
The Top Individual Fundraiser will be offered the opportunity to throw out the First Pitch at Opening Day for the Lake Erie Crushers. If the Top Fundraiser is unable to attend, we will continue down the line of top individual fundraisers until we have our pitcher.
Schedule
Sunday, April 25, 2027
Check-in 1:00 PM
Opening Ceremonies 1:45 PM
Walk 2:15 PM
Celebrate Until 4:00 PM
Venue does not allow pets -credentialed service animals only.
Location
NEW LOCATION!!
Forefront Field
Home of the Lake Erie Crushers
2009 Baseball Blvd.
Avon, OH 44011
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:
LynneSchroeder@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