Louisa County Sheriff's Office Hosts 2025 Special Needs & Autism Awareness Festival
Louisa, VA — The Louisa County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) is proud to invite families, caregivers, individuals with special needs, and the entire community to the LCSO Project First Responder: 2025 Special Needs & Autism Awareness Festival on Saturday, June 7th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Moss-Nuckols Elementary School in Louisa, Virginia.
This FREE family-friendly event is more than a festival—it’s a mission-driven celebration aimed at building stronger, more inclusive communities. Designed to support individuals of all abilities, the festival is quickly becoming the largest gathering of special needs resources in Central Virginia.
🎉 Festival Highlights:
- 🧩 Over 40 organizations offering special needs, mental health, educational, and support resources
- 🎨 Arts & Crafts, face painting, and sensory activities
- 🚒 Firetrucks and ambulances
- 🚜 Hayrides and the crowd-favorite barrel train rides
- 🐾Live Animal Encounters - Come watch horses play soccer
- 🎈 Bounce houses for all ages
- 🎶 Live music, games, and family fun
- 🍔 Food trucks and local vendors
- 🛍 Craft and small business marketplace
"This festival represents what community truly means—coming together to lift one another up, connect families with life-changing resources, and show support for individuals with diverse needs," said Sheriff Donald A. Lowe. "We’re honored to provide a safe, welcoming space for all families to enjoy, learn, and be celebrated."
🧠 Resources On-Site Include:
- Autism Society of Central Virginia
- UVA STAR Autism Initiative
- Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA)
- Virginia Down Syndrome Association
- Guardian Angels Up Above
- The Arc of the Piedmont & Arc Studio
- Charlottesville Region Autism Action Group (CRAAG)
- Blue Ridge Health District (on-site vaccinations)
- Intercept Health, Celebrate Recovery, and many more!
This event is hosted by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the Louisa County Public Schools and the LCSO Foundation as part of the ongoing Project First Responder initiative—an outreach program focused on equipping first responders with tools and training to better serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
📍 Event Details:
🗓 Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Moss-Nuckols Elementary School, 2055 Courthouse Rd, Louisa, VA
For event details, vendor info, or to become a supporter, visit:
🔗 Facebook Event Page
🔗 LCSO Autism Festival Info & Vendor Forms
Contact for More Information:
Lt. Chuck Love – LCSO Special Operations
📞 (540) 967-4575
📧 CLove@louisacounty.gov
Come for the fun. Stay for the resources. Leave inspired.
We can’t wait to see you there! 💙