VANCOUVER, April 19, 2016 /CNW/ - On Sunday, April 24, families, politicians, sports celebrities, and members of the public will unite at Jack Poole Plaza (Vancouver Convention Centre) for the 5th Annual Canucks Autism Network (CAN) Family Festival in celebration of Autism Awareness Month. The CAN Family Festival, emceed by Jody Vance, will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. PT, and will include a fundraising walk, lighting of the cauldron, live entertainment by The Paperboys and Charlotte Diamond, food trucks, trampolines, face painting, appearances by Vancouver Canucks alumni, and a variety of family-friendly activities and exhibitors.
The event is open to the public with free admission and is expected to draw over 1,500 attendees, including confirmed appearances by:
The event kicks off with a fundraising walk led by Vancouver Canucks President, Trevor Linden and Canucks Autism Network Founder, Paolo Aquilini. "With 1 in 68 children being diagnosed with autism, support from the community is needed now more than ever," says CAN Founder, Paolo Aquilini. "We need to band together to increase awareness and acceptance as a means to create more inclusive and understanding communities for all those living with autism."
Media are invited to attend at 11:00 a.m. PT. Paolo Aquilini (CAN Founder), Katy Harandi (CAN CEO), and select families living with autism will be available for interviews. Please RSVP to [email protected] and check in on the day-of at the Media Check-In Tent.
The CAN Family Festival, presented by the West Coast Fishing Club Fishing for Kids Tournament and Macquarie Group Foundation, is proudly sponsored by: North Growth Foundation, Vancouver International Airport, Clark's Audio Visual Services Ltd., Kinetic Security, FortisBC, Great West Graphics, Tim Hortons, FlyOver Canada, Helijet, TapSnap, RYU Apparel Inc., Trace Mineral Water, Breakfast Television Vancouver & City TV,OMNI Television (Official), TEAM 1040, 103.5 QMFM, The Vancouver Sun, The Province, Vancity Buzz. With event partners: the Vancouver Canucks, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, BC Lions, Vancouver Canadians, and Vancouver Stealth.
For more information about the event, please visit www.canucksautism.ca/CANFamFest
About the Canucks Autism Network
The Canucks Autism Network provides high-quality, adaptive sports, recreational, social and arts programs for individuals and families living with autism, while building awareness and providing autism training in communities across British Columbia.
SOURCE Canucks Autism Network
Image with caption: "5th Annual Canucks Autism Network Family Festival (CNW Group/Canucks Autism Network)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160424_C8849_PHOTO_EN_673497.jpg
Media Contact: Lindsay Petrie, Marketing & Communications Manager, (604) 685-4049 ext 213, [email protected], (604)788-8565
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