2026 Walk Information
Part walk, part festival, part celebration, Walk4Friendship is the most feel-good and impactful way to show up for the special needs community.
Registration is completely free, and thousands keep coming back year after year because of the energy, fun, camaraderie, and most importantly, the impact.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Farber Center 5586 Drake Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322
Everything you need to know
Walk Schedule
Your walk begins with an inspiring opening ceremony followed by a 1.7-mile family walk. When you cross the finish line, the post-walk festivities kick off with carnival games, rides, and delicious food. Best of all, you’ll be surrounded by thousands of people who see abilities instead of disabilities and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual.
10:30am – 11:00am
Registration opens, and t-shirt pickup begins. Come early, settle in, and soak up the energy before the walk kicks off.
11:15am – 11:45am
Opening ceremony at Farber Center. Expect to feel all the feels and see your impact come to life.
11:45am
And we’re off. The walk begins.
12:00 – 3:00pm
The finish line is just the beginning. Walkers arrive at the Meer Center for food, entertainment, and a full-on celebration of the difference we are making in the lives of individuals with special needs.
Entertainment
Activities for the whole family
A Bubble Party is an outdoor event intended for kids of all ages. Bubbles Fun provides various wands and specialty mix for everyone to enjoy. Bubble Masters will assist in creating a bubble wonderland that is sure to entertain and amaze all participants.
A basic bounce house is a thrilling addition to any party. It challenges participants and provides endless entertainment for guests of all ages. This attraction guarantees fun and excitement for your event.
Try knocking your opponent off the foam pedestal in this highly interactive jousting battle! It challenges participants and engages spectators, making it great for high-energy kids. The Pedestal Joust guarantees fun and endless entertainment for all ages.
Get ready to have mountains of bubbles dumped over your party! This high-energy, sudsy experience requires no water supply or electricity. Your crew will love the fun of our bubble party.
Petting Zoo
Bring joy and adorable animals to your celebration with our complete petting zoo experience. It includes a wide variety of friendly animals to pet and free animal feed. Get ready for smiles, giggles, and unforgettable memories.
The Acrobatic Team is a professional entertainment attraction. Prepare to be amazed by their incredible performance.
Three players try to dunk on the hoop while stretching their bungee, which blasts them back to the start. This thrilling addition provides endless entertainment for participants and spectators alike. It’s guaranteed to bring fun and excitement to any event.
This unique inflatable offers five different activities, including football, basketball, and jousting. It challenges participants and provides endless entertainment for guests of all ages. The Sports Arena is guaranteed to bring excitement to any event.
Enjoy the iconic Ferris Wheel in the form of a fun bounce house. This unit is the perfect compliment to any carnival-themed party.
Test your balance and try to climb to the top of Jacob’s Ladder without flipping upside down! This thrilling attraction challenges participants and provides endless entertainment. It’s guaranteed to bring fun and excitement to crowds of all sizes.
Take a trip down memory lane with this carnival classic. The impressive 110-foot, 3-lane slide with large humps is quite the ride. Exhilarating and fun for all ages, the Super Slide is a true family favorite.
Walk route
The walk starts at Friendship Circle’s Farber Center (5586 Drake Road), continues down Drake Road, crosses through the JCC, and follows the sidewalk along Maple Road, finishing at Friendship Circle’s Meer Center (6892 W Maple Road). If you need to step off the route at any point, a shuttle will be available at the JCC to bring you directly to the Meer Center.
Parking
Parking is available at Temple Israel (5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield). We strongly recommend arriving before 10:30 am to give yourself enough time to park and make your way to the Opening Ceremony comfortably. (It’s about a 5-minute walk to the start line, and there will be signage and volunteers to direct you).
Road Closures
Please note that Drake Road will be closed from Walnut Lake Road to Maple Road from 11:30 am–12:15 pm. To access Temple Israel parking, all vehicles must arrive before 11:15 am. Once the road closes, no access will be permitted, and no exceptions can be made. Please plan your arrival accordingly.
Wheelchair-Accessible Parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking is available at Temple Israel. A wheelchair-accessible shuttle is also available to transport participants and supporters to the Opening Ceremony. If you need this service, please let a staff member know upon arrival, and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
Shuttles
From the opening ceremony to the Meer Center:
After the Opening Ceremony, we encourage everyone to walk the full route to the Meer Center to do so. For those who are unable to walk the route, shuttles will depart approximately 15 minutes after the Walk begins and bring you directly to the Meer Center, where you can cheer on walkers as they arrive.
From the Meer Center to Temple Israel:
After you’ve enjoyed the walk festivities and are ready to head home, shuttles will run continuously from the Meer Center to Temple Israel until 3:00 pm. Look for shuttles on the north side of campus near Friendship House, along the dirt path toward the Golden Lane subdivision. Wheelchair-accessible shuttles are available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
If there are any unanswered questions, please contact us.
When is Walk4Friendship?
Walk4Friendship 2026 is on Sunday, August 30th. Come ready to walk, celebrate, and make a difference. Registration opens at 10:30 am.
Is there a fee to register?
Walk4Friendship is a free family event, open to everyone who wants to show up for the special needs community.
If I have pre-registered, do I need to check in somewhere?
Just stop by the registration tent when you arrive to pick up your t-shirt.
Can I register on the day of the walk?
Though we recommend registering online in advance to save time and make sure you’re all set before the opening ceremony, we do allow same-day registration. Registration tables will be set up at the Farber Center starting at 10:30 am.
Is there a fee to receive a Walk4Friendship t-shirt?
T-shirts are free for anyone who registers online before the walk or registers in person before the opening ceremony. T-shirts will also be available for purchase at the post-walk carnival for $5.
Where should I park?
Head to Temple Israel, 5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. We strongly recommend arriving by 10:30 am so you have plenty of time to park and make your way to the opening ceremony. If you arrive between 11:15 am and 12:30 pm, parking will be available at the Jewish Community Center, 6600 West Maple Road (north side of the Berman Theater lot). After 12:30 pm, Temple Israel parking reopens.
Drake Road will be closed from 11:30 am–12:15 pm. To access Temple Israel parking, you must arrive before 11:15 am. No exceptions will be made, so please plan accordingly.
Are shuttles available?
Yes, here’s everything you need to know:
To the opening ceremony:
Shuttles run from Temple Israel to the Farber Center starting at 9:30am and continue until 11:15am.
From the opening ceremony to the Meer Center:
We encourage everyone who is able to walk the route together — that’s the heart of the day. For those who’d prefer not to walk, shuttles depart approximately 15 minutes after the group sets off and will bring you straight to the Meer Center to cheer on family and friends as they arrive.
Important note:
Shuttle service from Temple Israel ends at 11:15 am. Anyone arriving after that will need to walk to the Farber Center from the parking lot. At the end of the event, participants will walk back from the Farber Center to Temple Israel — it’s only a 5-minute walk. Wheelchair-accessible accommodations are available for those who need them.
Is there Wheelchair Accessible Parking?
Yes, wheelchair-accessible parking is available at Temple Israel, and a wheelchair-equipped shuttle is available to transport participants to the opening ceremony. Just let a staff member know when you arrive, and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of.
Can I come to only the activities at the Meer Center?
Absolutely. The Meer Center festivities run from 12:00 pm–3:00 pm, and everyone is welcome, whether you walked the route or not.
What happens if it rains?
The event goes on:) We’ll move as many activities inside as possible and encourage everyone to bring their best rain gear and a positive attitude. If severe weather is expected, keep an eye on Friendship Circle’s Facebook page for the latest updates.
Will there be food and water? Is there a charge?
Yes, there will be plenty of food and drinks available for free at both the Farber Center and the Meer Center throughout the day.
Will there be any services for emergencies throughout the day?
Yes, first aid stations will be set up along the route, and both West Bloomfield Fire Department and Hatzalah ambulances will be positioned along the walk.
Will there be any security?
Yes, the West Bloomfield Police Department will have a strong presence throughout the entire event, so we can celebrate with peace of mind.