Join Us for Our Next Inclusive Playdate!
The Buddy Big Top Carnival!
A free afternoon of inclusive play, family connection, and community — built for every child at Birmingham's first fully accessible playground.
Co-hosted with the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board
Adaptive activities provided in partnership with The Lakeshore Foundation
HOW TO BE A PART OF IT
FAMILIES
VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEERS
Bring your family
A fun, exciting afternoon for children with and without disabilities to come together!
- Children with disabilities are pre-matched with a trained 1:1 buddy before the event
- Lunch included for every attendee — children, families, everyone
- Parent Lounge inside the fair — rest, connect, breathe, while staying present
- All zones, all activities, all food — no cost, ever
Family Registration has closed. Thank you for your support!
VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEERS
VOLUNTEERS
Show up for a child
Our volunteers are the backbone of the fair. Roles for every experience level — disability professionals and first-time community volunteers alike.
- 1:1 Buddies — matched with one child for the full afternoon
-Inclusion Captains — lead a buddy group through activity stations
- Float Buddies — on-call backup coverage for gaps and no-shows
- Execution Volunteers — check-in, food, fair games, and logistics
- Setup and Breakdown Crew — come before or after the event and help out!
RESOURCE FAIR VENDORS
RESOURCE FAIR VENDORS
RESOURCE FAIR VENDORS
Meet families who need you
The Family Resource Fair is a curated set of tables along the park trail — your organization, in a setting where families feel celebrated, not clinical.
- Tables along Bessie Estell Park's sidewalk trail
- TWA provides table, two chairs, and tent coverage
- $50 table fee — confirmed upon invoice payment
- Mission-aligned organizations serving disability and family communities only
- Registration and payment deadline: May 2, 2026
SPONSORS
RESOURCE FAIR VENDORS
RESOURCE FAIR VENDORS
Invest in inclusive play
Sponsorship makes the 🎪 The Buddy Big Top Carnival possible — and puts your organization alongside a community that values equity, access, and belonging.
- Presenting, Community, and Supporting sponsorship tiers available
-In-kind sponsorships welcome — food, beverages, print, branded items
- Brand recognition throughout the event and across all communications
-Direct connection to 100+ families, community partners, and media coverage
Reach out to LaToya Mims (latoyam@thewildfloweralliance.org) to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
QUESTIONS
What families ask most.
Not at all. Half of our spots are reserved for children without disabilities — siblings, friends, and neighbors are all welcome. Every child participates together in the same buddy groups and the same activities. No separate programming, no sidelines. Come as a family and make a day of it.
Buddy groups — the small teams that move through activity stations together — are assigned live at 12:45 PM on event day. This lets us account for who has actually arrived and make real-time adjustments before activities begin.
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Yes — the Buddy Fun Fair is a full-family experience. The Parent Lounge, the resource fair, the food, and the community are all part of the afternoon. Your child's buddy and Inclusion Captain have the activities covered. You won't be managing — but staying inside the fair with your family is the whole point. You'll actually get to breathe.
The Buddy Fun Fair is hosted at Bessie Estell Park — Birmingham’s first inclusive playground — and designed so children of all abilities can participate together. Accessible restrooms and a sensory calm-down area will be on-site. Accessible drop-off is available at the park entrance.
Some areas of the green space may be challenging for certain mobility devices. Our trained volunteers will adapt in the moment so no child sits anything out. If your child has specific support needs, note them on your registration form and we’ll plan accordingly.
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Zero cost. Admission is free. A boxed lunch is included for every attendee. Fair treats are included throughout the afternoon. There are no tickets, no wristband fees, and no purchases required at any point. This is The Wildflower Alliance's commitment — always. Our sponsors make this possible.
Support the Playdate, Donate Today!
The Wildflower Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Copyright © 2026 TWA - All Rights Reserved.
EIN: 99-3528906
Birmingham, AL
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