Correspondent photos / Nancilynn Gatta Jessica Myers of Happy Face Painting, left, paints the hand of Patricia Hooks of Youngstown as part of Fairhaven Foundation’s Abilities Rock Carnival & Dance Party on Saturday at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield. The event, for individuals from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, was designed to provide fun celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and to raise awareness about inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.

CANFIELD — Everyone who attended the Fairhaven Foundation’s Abilities Rock Carnival & Dance Party left the venue with a smile on their face after having a fun time.

“The Abilities Rock Carnival & Dance Party is a fun-filled event in celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” said Stephanie Champlin, executive director of the Fairhaven Foundation, who planned the event.

“National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, observed throughout March, is a nationwide event to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and address the barriers that those with disabilities face. Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is about understanding the relationship between the way people function and how they participate in society and making sure everybody has the same opportunities in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities,” Champlin said.

Held at Waypoint 4180 in Canfield, the location allowed it to be a more inclusive gathering. The Courtyard by Marriott connected to the venue offered a sensory area in a nearby hotel room and an adult changing area in another room.

“This is the third year for the Abilities Rock Carnival & Dance Party but the first year that we have invited clients of the Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana County Boards of Developmental Disabilities,” Champlin said.

The Fairhaven Foundation recently expanded to include all three counties. It used to just be for individuals from Trumbull County.

Members of the Valley’s developmentally disabled community, their family, friends and caregivers entered the venue to an information table with giveaways such as a calendar and a map of all the activities. Volunteers from the three boards of developmental disabilities, students from Salem schools and groups as far away as Barberton ran the carnival games. Guests played Skee-ball, a giant Kerplunk!, a basketball throw and knock the milk bottle from the shelf among other games to win tickets and turn them in for prizes.

“The kids were very excited to participate in this event,” said Suzanne Harding, adviser for the Interact Club, a service group modeled after Rotary International, at Salem City Schools. “We have approximately 20 students from seventh to 12th grade here helping clean up and dancing with guests. The motto for the club is ‘service before self.'”

After playing games, attendees had a choice to visit the clowns making balloons, have their faces, arms or hands painted or go into the seating area where they could join the dancers on the dance floor where the DJ played such songs as “YMCA,” “Macarena,” “Baby Shark,” “Chicken Dance” and the “Hokey Pokey.”

When they wanted to take a break from all the activities, they could sit in the seating area and enjoy a snack of pizza, cookies, cotton candy or choose from numerous toppings at a tater tot station. Even the catering staff felt a connection with the event and the joy in participating.

“My nephew, he is special needs, so this event hits home for me,” said Barbara Houch of Columbiana, shift lead at Waypoint 4180. She served pizza and tater tots to guests and had a chance to interact with them.

“This was such a great event. We were very excited to have it here,” Houch said.

“It was so nice to partner with such a high-end event. Stephanie does everything top shelf for the individuals who attend,” said Josh Martin, Assistant Superintendent of the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Champlin plans activities and social gatherings all year round. The three Valley communities have a Princess Ball and a Youngstown Phantoms game to look forward to in the near future.