Autism Acceptance
Walk & Community
Celebration
A full-day community celebration for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Walk at your own pace. Stay as long as you like. Funds support Caiden's Corner programs and local autism resources.
Everything You Need
to Know
This isn't just a walk. It's a full community celebration — stroller and wheelchair-friendly, sensory-aware, and built for families like yours.
The Walk
The walk begins at 11:00 AM on a stroller and wheelchair-friendly route. Walk as much or as little as you want. Individuals, families, schools, businesses, and groups are all welcome.
- Walk at your own pace — no pressure
- Create or join a team after registering
- Every registered walker receives a participant gift
- Stroller & wheelchair accessible route
- Bring lawn chairs for comfort
The Community Celebration
The festival runs 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM — gates open two hours before the walk with a quiet sensory hour. Come and go as your family needs.
- Vendor shopping & food all day
- Kids activities & sensory booths
- Quiet sensory space available all day
- Registration table open from 8:00 AM
- Bounce houses sponsored by TC Reynolds Trucking
- Bubble Booth by Junior Auxiliary of Hancock County
- Rain or shine event
🙋 Want to Volunteer?
We need help with setup, cleanup, registration, booth support, and more. Fill out the volunteer form and mention the April 11 walk in the comments. Complimentary water provided for all registered volunteers.
Help Us Reach Our Goal
Every dollar raised supports autism families across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Your April 11 Timeline
Plan your day — or just show up. Both are perfectly fine.
Gates open with a low-sensory environment. Perfect for families who need time to settle in before the full festival energy begins.
- Registration table open
- Low music / low noise
- Quiet sensory space available
- Early vendor access
Full community celebration is underway — all vendors, food, kids activities, booths, and sensory stations open.
- All food & vendors open
- Kids activity stations
- Bounce houses open
- Sensory booths & crafts
- Bubble Booth · ABA info booth
The official walk begins at 11:00 AM. Walk your own pace on the stroller/wheelchair-friendly route and return to the celebration.
- Walk at your own pace
- Participant gift for registered walkers
- Festival continues until 4 PM
- Quiet space stays open all day
Fun for All Ages
Every activity is designed with sensory needs in mind. All-day fun, all-day smiles.
Bounce Houses
Two inflatable bounce houses all day — sponsored by TC Reynolds Trucking
Bubble Booth
Interactive bubble station from Junior Auxiliary of Hancock County
Crafts & Art
Hands-on creative stations for all ages and sensory preferences
Sensory Booths
Interactive sensory stations designed to engage, explore, and play freely
ABA Info Booth
Proud Moments ABA on-site answering questions about therapy and resources
Quiet Sensory Space
A calm, low-stimulation reset space available all day for any family who needs it
Acaí Bowls
Pure Acaí on-site all day — treat yourself after the walk!
Dirty Sodas
MissiSippin' Dirty Soda Co. bringing the flavor all day long
🏟️ Ausome Play Pass — Now On Sale!
Pre-order your activity wristband for bounce houses and ticketed stations. Skip the line on event day — just show up and play. Quiet sensory space is always free for all attendees.
50/50 Raffle
Buy tickets now, winner announced live on April 11 at the walk. Half goes to the winner, half goes directly to autism families on the Gulf Coast.
Buy Your Tickets
Purchase tickets below. The more you buy, the better your odds!
Show Up April 11
Join us at the Bay St. Louis Train Depot for the walk and celebration.
Winner Announced Live
Winner drawn and announced on-site. You must be present to win.
Important Information
Download and share these resources with your team, family, or business.
Important Dates
Event Agenda
Sponsorship Levels
Play Pass & Event T-Shirts
Pre-order your Play Pass to skip the line on event day. T-shirt early pickup: Wednesday, April 8 · Kiln Library · 4–6 PM. Or pick up day-of at the walk.
👕 Event T-Shirts & Swag Shop
Sizes Youth XS – Adult 4X · All event sponsors recognized on back
📍 Early Pickup: Wednesday, April 8 · Kiln Library · 4:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Day-of Pickup: Available at the walk on April 11
🩧 Tribute Yard Signs
Personalized with your loved one's name, photo & sponsor name
📍 Yard sign orders are closed. All ordered signs will be displayed at the walk on April 11 — you can take yours home with you after the event!
Your tribute yard sign will be displayed proudly at the walk. Look for it on-site and take it home as a keepsake after the celebration!
Register to Walk →Vendors & Sponsors
Whether you're a business, a nonprofit, or a community supporter — there's a place for you at the Walk.
🏪 Become a Vendor
Set up a booth, sell your products, and connect directly with autism families and our community. Vendor spaces are limited — registration is online only.
- Arts, crafts & handmade vendors
- Food & beverage vendors
- Nonprofit organizations & resource booths
- Community businesses
💙 Become a Sponsor
Your sponsorship makes this event accessible, welcoming, and unforgettable for autism families. Logo on event shirts, signage, and our community recognition materials.
Sponsorship levels: $100 – $2,500
- Logo on event t-shirts (all sponsor levels)
- Event signage & program recognition
- Social media spotlight
- Community visibility all day
Find Us
The Bay St. Louis Train Depot is easy to find. Click below to get directions straight to your GPS.
📍 Event Location
Bay St. Louis Train Depot
1928 Depot Way
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
🕒 Event Hours
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Festival: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Walk begins: 11:00 AM
🅿️ Parking
Parking available at the depot and behind the Bay St. Louis Community Center. A detailed parking map will be shared on our Facebook event page and emailed to registered walkers the week of the event.
Follow the Facebook Event
Get real-time updates, announcements, and connect with other families joining us on April 11.
Autism Acceptance Walk &
Community Celebration
Click the button below to follow the event on Facebook and get instant notifications for all updates, vendor spotlights, honoree announcements, and behind-the-scenes content leading up to April 11.
Event Updates
Schedule changes, new vendors, activities, and day-of announcements
Photos & Videos
Sneak peeks, honoree spotlights, and behind-the-scenes moments
Community Chat
Connect with families, share excitement, and plan your day
We're on Facebook
Follow @CaidensCornerMS for program updates, event highlights, and family stories from the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Everything You Need to Know
Tap any question to expand the answer.
📍 Where is the event?
1928 Depot Way, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 — at the Bay St. Louis Train Depot. Parking available around the depot; a parking map will be shared closer to the event date.
🕗 What time does it start?
Gates open at 8:00 AM with a quiet sensory hour. The full festival begins at 9:00 AM. The official walk starts at 11:00 AM. Come early, come late — families are welcome all day until 4:00 PM.
📝 Do I need to register in advance?
We strongly encourage online registration so we can plan ahead for all families. Register here → Day-of registration is also available at the registration table.
🏅 Will participants receive anything?
Yes! Every registered walker receives a participant gift. It's a small token of our big gratitude for showing up for autism families. Register here to claim yours →
🏟️ What is the Ausome Play Pass?
The Ausome Play Pass is an activity wristband for bounce houses and ticketed stations. Pre-order online to skip the line on event day! Order yours here →
🎪 Can my team set up a tent?
Yes! Teams are welcome to set up tents — arrive early for the best spots. Location details and a map will be shared closer to the event.
💰 Can our team fundraise at the event?
Absolutely! Teams can sell items and accept donations to support their fundraising goal. All funds raised through the peer-to-peer platform go directly to Caiden's Corner programs.
🍔 Will food be available?
Yes! Multiple food vendors will be on-site all day. Confirmed so far: Pure Acaí, MissiSippin' Dirty Soda Co., and Madelynn's Sweet Treats. More being added — follow our Facebook page for updates.
🪑 What should I bring?
Bring lawn chairs for comfort during the festival! Also recommend: sunscreen, hats, comfortable shoes for walking, and any sensory tools your child needs. Food and drinks available for purchase on-site.
🐕 Can I bring my pet?
No pets, please — service animals are always welcome. This helps us maintain a sensory-friendly environment for all attendees, especially children who may be sensitive to animals or unexpected sounds.
👕 Where do I pick up my t-shirt?
Early pickup is available Wednesday, April 8 at the Kiln Library from 4:00–6:00 PM. You can also pick up day-of at the walk. Shop the swag shop at the link above.
🩧 When will I get my yard sign?
Yard sign orders are now closed. All signs will be displayed at the walk on April 11 — look for yours on-site and take it home with you as a keepsake after the celebration!
🎫 How does the 50/50 raffle work?
Buy your raffle tickets online or at the event. The winner is drawn and announced live on-site on April 11 — half the pot goes to the winner, half goes directly to Caiden's Corner. You must be present to win.
💧 Volunteer info — what do I need to know?
Report to the volunteer table when you arrive for assignments and a name tag. Complimentary water is provided for all registered volunteers all day. Thank you for showing up for our families!
🏪 I'm a vendor — where do I check in?
Check in at the vendor table when you arrive. Booth assignments and setup info will be sent to registered vendors closer to the event. Arrive early for setup — gates open at 8:00 AM.
🅿️ Where can I park?
Parking is available at the Bay St. Louis Train Depot and behind the Bay St. Louis Community Center. A detailed parking map will be posted on our Facebook event page and sent to registered walkers the week of the event.