On Sunday, May 18th, the Best Buddies in Minnesota Friendship Walk made history with its biggest event yet, hosted for the first time at the iconic Viking Lakes campus in Eagan. With a brand-new venue, expanded activities and record-breaking participation, this year’s walk was a celebration of friendship, inclusion and community spirit like never before.

Moving the Friendship Walk to Viking Lakes marked an exciting new chapter of growth for Best Buddies in Minnesota. This state-of-the-art venue provided the perfect backdrop for a memorable morning for attendees to see the Best Buddies mission in action. The event brought together over 1,000 participants – friends, families, school chapters, corporate teams and community groups – all walking side by side to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Thanks to the generous support of participants, donors, and sponsors, the 2025 Friendship Walk raised over $102,000 to support Best Buddies programs across Minnesota including 42 local school chapters and 6 community adult friendship programs that serve over 2,500 kids and adults with and without IDD across the state. The money raised will also help to expand these one-to-one friendship programs, leadership development opportunities, and statewide initiatives promoting inclusion for individuals with IDD.

We were thrilled to recognize the incredible efforts of our top fundraisers and teams:

• Top Individual Fundraiser: Kerri Shay – $2,925
• Top School Team: Chanhassen Stars – $5,490
• Top Friends & Family Team: Parables Crew – $5,380
• Top Corporate Team: InPursuit Search – $2,675

Local celebrity and friend of Best Buddies, Eric Perkins, joined the Friendship Walk this year as the fantastic emcee of Opening Ceremonies to welcome walkers and get everyone ready for the amazing day. After a speech from buddy pair Finn and Donnie of the Best Buddies chapter at Minnetonka Middle School West and the announcement of the Top Team & Individual Fundraiser awards, the event continued with a fun walk around the two Viking Lakes accompanied by the Minnesota Vikings Skol Line.

Special guest appearances by Minnesota Vikings players Harrison Phillips and Walter Rouse, Miss Minnesota USA Muna Ali, Best Buddies Global Ambassador Mikayla Holmgren, Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, and Sparky from Eagan Fire Department helped us create a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere with plenty of celebrations.

The event featured a variety of activities for attendees of all ages and abilities to enjoy, including music by DJ Jamir Hopson, giant yard games on the turf plaza, therapy llamas, a POUND workout class, face painting, photo opportunities, a VIP tent, and more. A special thank you to the amazing volunteers whose passion and hard work allowed so many people to experience the joy and inclusivity of the Best Buddies Friendship Walk.

As one walker said, “All the people with the volunteer shirts on were so nice and helpful. I can see why people want to attend…it’s a bright spot in their spring, no doubt!”

This event would not have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors and partners. A heartfelt thank you to Abdo, Burns & McDonnell, Federated Insurance, Finley’s, Voyage Wealth Architects, Clough Business Advisors & CPAs, Fortune Financial, Health Partners, Jennifer Myster & Gene Sieve, Metro Therapy Special Children’s Clinic, Minnesota Vikings, Neu Medical, Ryan Companies, and Slater Realty Group.

And a big thank you to our in-kind donors for supporting the Friendship Walk and bringing extra excitement with snacks, drinks, activities, and giveaways, including Bix Produce Company, Caribou Coffee (Vikings Parkway), Corporate Eats, Dairy Queen (Normandale Blvd), Hy-Vee (Eagan), Jim Douglas Photography, Jonny Pops, POP! Balloon Décor, POUND Instructors Allyson Ashley and Azure Adler, Raising Cane’s (Eagan), Trader Joe’s (Eagan), and Woodhouse Spa.

Thank you to everyone who participated, fundraised, and supported this year’s Friendship Walk. Your efforts are paving the way toward a more inclusive world — one step at a time!

VIEW EVENT PHOTOS

Photos courtesy of Jim Douglas Photography and volunteers Amy & Maisie Adams

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Friendship Walk on Sunday, May 17th, 2026, as we continue to build a future of friendship and opportunity for all.