The Festival of Inclusion
August 5, 2023
Brown's Island
11:00am - 4:00pm
The ASCV's Festival of Inclusion is a sensory-friendly festival designed to include and accommodate individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Through zoned areas throughout the festival, we will honor our local autism community, as well as highlight the incredible work that the ASCV and fellow local organizations do to make Richmond a more inclusive city. The festival will be held on Brown's Island from 11AM – 4 PM and will include music, family activity zones, food and so much more! The Festival of Inclusion is free and open to the public.
Read on to see all the incredible activities from our Community Partners in the Festival of Inclusion!
Be sure to check out our Sensory Guide charts, letting you know what senses will be engaged by each activity: sound, touch, sight, smell, and taste. Engagement is rated from 1 to 5, with 1 being low engagement, and 5 being high.

Visit the Connection Zone to meet, share, and learn more about inclusive resources and programs available right here in Richmond! The Connection Zone will help you build new relationships with unique and understanding organizations.


Let your imagination soar in the Creation Zone! Featuring a variety of inclusive and adaptive local art groups, visitors to the Creation Zone can immerse themselves in the visual arts. Join in the demonstrations and art projects to express yourself, get creative, and learn more about the maker scene in RVA.


Looking for adventure? Check out the Exploration Zone to find places to explore both inside and outside! This area will give you a chance to explore new hobbies and make new friends. See what is available right here in Richmond!


Express yourself! Visit the Expression Zone and experience everything from improv to instruments. With a focus on the live and performing arts, learn ways to express your unique talents.


Jump! Wiggle! Run! The Movement Zone will feature activities to inspire physical agility and coordination! This space is designed to wake up those muscles and get that body moving. Fun for the whole family!


NBC12 Partners Area


The Quiet Zone is a relaxing space away from the noisy elements of the festival. Come and decompress from the more active parts of the festival and rejoin when you are ready! This space is located on the west side of the Island, providing a relaxing, peaceful setting.

Come Grow With Us! At Mosaic Pediatric Therapy we focus on play, learning, fun and growth. Visit our tent and get your hands dirty by planting a beautiful flower to take home with you. We will also have other family friendly activities for your kids to enjoy whether that is playing in our sensory bins, or going fishing for your very own duck in our mini pond.

Join Spectrum Transformation Group at the Sensory Tent to decompress, regulate, and have fun! We were Virginia’s first licensed ABA provider. Still locally-owned, come learn about our different services for Autism and mental health needs. Make your own sensory bag, engage in water play and painting, play with fidgets, blow bubbles, bounce around, or color…whatever sounds fun to you!

Cool off in the Misting Zone! The tent features gentle sprays of water to help you keep cool in the August heat.
