Hundreds Gather for the 2025 See Me Neurodiverse Community Fest

On Sunday, September 7, Lakefront Park in Prior Lake came alive with laughter, energy, and connection as over 400 people attended the 2025 See Me Neurodiverse Community Fest. This event celebrated inclusion and created a safe and welcoming space for neurodivergent individuals, their families, and the broader community.

This year’s festival offered something for everyone: a ninja course, inflatables, giant bubbles, rock painting, chalk art, coloring, yard games, a food truck, and a calming sensory room, as well as a pretty awesome mobile sensory bus. Nearly 50 vendors and resource providers lined the rinks, offering tools, services, and community connections tailored to the neurodivergent community. Thanks to the generous support of the Twin Cities Autism Foundation, the Ninja Anywhere Course was offered free of charge to all attendees, and it quickly became one of the most popular attractions of the day.

Safety and accessibility remained a top priority throughout the planning process, and the event was contained within the ice rinks at Lakefront Park, giving families peace of mind as kids explored. With the amazing support of the Prior Lake Rotary, a temporary fence was installed to separate the event space from the nearby pond. One parent noted how much this mattered, saying, “We loved that it was fenced in!!” Another parent agreed, “I also appreciated that it was within a walled rink as you clearly understand the need for containment with these littles.” 

“Families often tell us how overwhelming it can be to find the right support for their neurodivergent children,” said Board Member Amy Crnecki. “At the fest, kids were able to just be themselves while parents connected with nearly 50 resources in one place. The joy and sense of belonging we saw this year were incredible, and it truly highlighted just how much our community values inclusion and connection.”

The sense of community was felt throughout the day. One attendee described what they enjoyed, “The inclusivity, the vibe, the people. So many of my kinda people.” Another shared, “Everything! Such a beautiful community vibe, great variety of activities and resources, and so well organized! We had a blast! My son LOVED the JoyMobile!!”

Vendors were equally enthusiastic. “You are all doing such a great job. It was a wonderful event, and I heard nothing but great things from all the vendors and participants,” said one resource provider. Another exclaimed, “EVERY key vendor from the disability space seemed to be there! Way to go!”

Much of the day’s success was made possible by over 35 community volunteers who dedicated their time, talents, and energy. From set-up to guiding families to keeping activities running smoothly, volunteers played a vital role in creating a welcoming and organized experience.

“Our goal is always to create a space where neurodivergent individuals and their families feel truly seen, celebrated, and supported,” said Kaitlyn Nelson, Board President of See Me Neurodiverse. “This year’s turnout and the feedback we’ve received show how much our community values these opportunities to connect and have fun together. We also hope events like this can serve as a model - showing how communities can incorporate calm spaces and inclusive practices into all events, making them more accessible for everyone.”

The See Me Neurodiverse Community Fest would not have been possible without the incredible support of volunteers, sponsors, and community partners. We’re looking forward to building on this year’s momentum and creating even more inclusive opportunities in the future.

See Me Neurodiverse hosts multiple events each month, including in-person and virtual parent/caregiver support meetings, family meetups at parks, zoos, and more, teen and young adult meetups, sensory-friendly movie showings, and educational talks on neurodiversity. You can find all See Me events on the events page. www.seemeneurodiverse.org/events