The city of Santa Clarita has a place for everyone – and that could not have been truer than at the city’s fifth annual “FestAbility,” celebrating people of all ages with disabilities at West Creek Park in Valencia on the cool and cloudy Sunday.
The event featured many unique activities like a petting zoo with mini horses and donkeys or mini potbelly pigs, a wrestling match performed by members of Pro Wrestling Odessey and a stage for people who wanted to perform dances or sing to music.
Cali Nocella, lead coordinator of FestAbility, said the event started after some community members were looking for a space for their children who were on the autism spectrum or had different sensory needs.
“And (it) has really blossomed into a beautiful, all-inclusive event. It is our event that celebrates our community with disabilities and has kind of transformed and made it what it is today, and we see kids of all ages, adults of all ages attend this event, and really find unique aspects that they can take away and sub away with,” Nocella said.
Nocella said the event continues to evolve, and organizers are always in contact with the local nonprofit organizations to see how they show up for the community and look for what’s new with others.
“Well, I think what I’ve learned most about this community is how close-knit everyone is and as someone who has just kind of started really understanding and being involved in the community is such a welcoming space,” Nocella said. “And I think this space showcases that entirely. And so having events that highlight the community for what it is and highlight the community for all it does, is just so special, and I’m thankful that I get to be a part of that.”
There was also a “chill zone” for people if the afternoon was too overstimulating and they needed to take a break in a quiet space, she added.
Lisa Geisen came with her 32-year-old son, Mark, who has Down syndrome to FestAbility and said she loves that the community puts on events like this and supports people with disabilities.
“It’s great just to feel all that love. When you come to these events, you run into people you know, which is nice. So, it’s like a … what do they call it when it takes a village? Yes (that is) what it feels like,” Geisen said.
Geisen emphasized that people with disabilities should be treated with respect.
“Yeah, they deserve everything that is out there for them,” she added.
She explained that her son is slightly non-verbal, and when asked questions, Mark just had a smile across his face and said, “yeah” with joy.
Kristen DeBenedetto, co-founder and executive director of Include Everyone Project, had a booth with some information about their services.
“We do adaptive performing art. So, we have classes in the spring and the fall in movement, music, and improvisational theaters,” DeBenedetto said.
She said that during the event they were offering scratch bookmarks and a drum circle.
DeBenedetto said that events like this are important because inclusion matters and everyone wants to have fun.
