09/13/2026
💜🧡 That’s a wrap on the third year of Family Fest—and what an AMAZING day it was! 🧡💜
The weather was absolutely perfect all day Saturday, and everywhere we looked, families were laughing, learning, playing, connecting, and making memories together.
There was bouncing in the bounce house, spinning wheels and winning prizes, hands-on activities, crafts, nature play, bubbles galore, and so much incredible food! My Icy Paradise kept us cool with Italian ice, Dolly’s Lemonade served delicious specialty lemonades, Juicy’s Famous Street Dogs brought the best street dogs, The Pyramids Food Truck served amazing Mediterranean food, and Hey Darlin’ Coffee kept our energy going throughout the day.
Our Pavilion Partners created such meaningful and interactive experiences for families:
Education, Travel & Culture helped guests explore the world, learn about traveling abroad, and create their own keepsake passports.
Nation of Diversity shared the wonderful work they are doing throughout the Raleigh area and introduced us to five powerful success stories that will be featured in a documentary premiering October 10 in Knightdale.
Raleigh Swim School brought water safety to life with interactive pools, sandboxes, and hands-on activities.
EatWell Exchange shared culturally relevant nutrition education and showed families how heritage, traditional foods, and wellness can live beautifully together.
Casita Creationz brought the most adorable creations and sweet crafts for the kids.
The North Carolina Community Health Centers Association connected families with resources for Medicaid, Marketplace enrollment, healthcare access, and available benefits.
The Raleigh Youth Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute brought fun merchandise, gifts, activities, and valuable community information.
WickedDragonfly 3D had some of the most adorable 3D prints and quickly became a favorite stop for kids of every age.
NC Nature School gave families a beautiful look into nature-based learning through foraging, survival-shelter building, gem mining, nature play, and their interactive outdoor classroom experience.
Jim Payne’s Rubik’s Cube experience gave families free cubes and booklets while teaching them how to solve the puzzle.
Wynns Family Psychology kept everyone engaged with Spin the Wheel, helpful resources, and free *No Wimpy Parenting* books.
Reclamation FARMacy shared the connection between sustainable agriculture, plant medicine, wellness, food sovereignty, culture, and caring for our community.
Casita Creationz, our community organizations, local businesses, educators, and every partner who showed up poured so much care and creativity into the day.
Loblolly Wellness Collective connected with families and shared wellness resources to support healthier, more grounded lives.
The Knightdale YMCA brought family-friendly fun while sharing information about the programs and resources they offer our community.
And the experiences kept going! We danced and played together during the One Tribe Rhythm drum circle. Jana filled the space with her beautiful sound bath and voice. We moved through yoga, slowed down with forest bathing, laughed while learning during Humor Heals with Dr. Kiki Wynns, explored poi, filled the field with bubbles, and ended the evening with a breathtaking fire show by Nordic Pyrotechnics.
To our amazing volunteers, staff, facilitators, performers, Pavilion Partners, vendors, food trucks, sponsors, and every person who helped make this day possible - thank you. Your time, energy, care, and willingness to serve created something truly special. I truly could not have done this without all of you.
At David Wolf, thank you for saving the day with quick thinking and fast transitioning from stage to pavillion 💕
Most of all, thank you to every family who came out and experienced the magic of Family Fest with us. Seeing your smiles, hearing your laughter, and watching your families enjoy this space together made every bit of work worthwhile.
If you captured pictures or videos, please share them in the comments! We would love to see Family Fest through your eyes.
Until next year, may you carry a little of Saturday’s joy, connection, and magic with you.
With so much love and gratitude,
Joss Michael 💜🧡
