- April 26, 2024
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East County's Landon Finch tries out a bungee ride.
Lakewood Ranch's Emma and Richard Barry try to keep their glasses in tact during the 15th annual Buddy Walk.
East County's Terri, Joe and Danielle Pelish lock hands as they embark on the Buddy Walk, raising awareness for Down syndrome.
Sarasota's Marilyn and Michelle Cafaro power walk through the last stretch of the Buddy Walk.
Lakewood Ranch's Mason Kramer had his backers wearing "Mighty Mason" t-shirts during the Buddy Walk. Beside him is Palmetto's Hailey Terstegge, Drogo and Parrish's Dennis Frey.
Sarasota's Isabella and Maria Bargas show up to the Buddy Walk in style.
Sarasota's Troy, Sam and Lisa Brode try to keep cool during their walk for Down syndrome awareness.
Parrish's Noah Weaver, 2, gets to ride during the Buddy Walk.
Homosassa's Chloe and John Zuidema stroll through Hunsader Farms during the 15th annual Buddy Walk.
East County's Hudson and Avery Drake watch the monster truck show from afar.
Siesta Key's Margo Athas and Sarasota's Tess D'Agostino decide which pumpkin they like best at the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.
Holmes Beach's Landon Chatt sorts through barrels of corn at the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.
Bradenton's Derrick Bonet shows off one of the many butterflies he caught in the butterfly garden.
Venice's Hadley Dockus gets a ride from her grandpa, Craig Whitehead.
Parrish's Michele and Brianna Blethen with their 2-year-old golden retriever, Marley, loved their time at the festival.
A scarecrow does his best to block hockey pucks during the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.
Children get a feel for what it is like behind the wheel.
Sarasota's Archer and Ainsley Blank get creative at the sand art booth.
Sarasota's Jennifer Kovacs gets moving to live music at the festival.
Children dance their hearts out at the Hunsader Farms Boogie Barn.
Bradenton's Aiden Kit and Sophie Bonet check out the butterfly garden.
East County 5-year-old Landon Finch decided to try the power bungee jump Oct. 21 at the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival.
"Smoke was coming out of my body — I was panicking," Finch said. "I was scared when I started going high up, but I loved it, a tiny bit."
Hundreds of visitors enjoyed the Pumpkin Festival more than a tiny bit.
Besides the usual festival activities, Hunsader Farms hosted the Manasota BUDS' 15th annual Buddy Walk, a National Down Syndrome Society event. The Buddy Walk was designed to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.
Lakewood Ranch's Margaret Eschmann is an Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teacher at Robert E. Willis Elementary School and she once again attended the Buddy Walk.
"Many of these students were in my class," Eschmann said. "This is a very special event for me every year because I get to see how they have grown. It breaks my heart not to have all of them with me anymore."
Following the Buddy Walk, walkers were given medals and given entrance into the Pumpkin Festival where they could enjoy food, crafts, dancing, games and rides.
