A fun-filled family day is planned for this year's Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 23.

In its third year in North Idaho and 13th overall, Step Up for Down Syndrome welcomes community members of all ages and abilities to participate in a 1-mile walk and enjoy a community celebration featuring inflatable bounce houses, raffle drawings, kids activities, first responders with their vehicles and more.

The walk is presented by Ds Connections Nw (Down Syndrome Connections Northwest), a nonprofit that provides a network of support, information, resources and connections for people with a Down syndrome diagnosis.

In 2021, more than 500 people attended the walk, Moline said.

"It brings awareness to how many people are connected to someone or have a child or an adult in their life that has Down syndrome and how big it is in our community," Kim Moline, executive director of Ds Connections Nw, said Friday. "A lot of things we do are to connect families to each other to find that community and build friendships with other families with Down syndrome."

The Step Up for Down Syndrome event is all-inclusive. Everyone who registers will receive swag bags as well as free lunch, ice cream and drinks.

"It's a really great deal," Moline said. "You’re helping us fundraise, but you're getting all these other things."

Ds Connections Nw was founded in 2009 by two moms who believed in keeping their children, families and friends connected through the love of their children diagnosed with Down syndrome. The nonprofit serves hundreds of families, individuals and professionals across the Inland Northwest.

The Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk will be held in The Fields at Real Life, between Horsehaven and 16th avenues off Charleville Road in Post Falls.

Registration is $30 for adults, $15 for youths and free for participants with Down syndrome. Register at dsconnectionsnw.org or in person the day of the event.

"It’s a good time," Moline said. "It's a couple hours on a Saturday morning so you still have time to go off to other events. We’re a great first stop."