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9th Annual Be A Buddy 5K & Family Health Expo Set October 17

By  //  September 25, 2026

Will Be Held at Field of Dreams in West Melbourne and Benefits the Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development

The 9th Annual Be A Buddy 5K & Family Health Expo will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This unique event will take place at the Space Coast Field of Dreams, 3053 Fell Road, West Melbourne, Florida, and will benefit The Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development. To register for the 5K, CLICK HERE.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The 9th Annual Be A Buddy 5K & Family Health Expo will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This unique event will take place at the Space Coast Field of Dreams, 3053 Fell Road, West Melbourne, Florida.

The morning is full of family fun, with plenty of activities for the kids. The 5K race starts at 8 a.m., and the Family Health and Fitness Expo hours are 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The Free Kids Run starts at 9 a.m. Awards will be handed out at 9:15 a.m.

Organized in partnership with The Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development and Running Zone, the event brings together families, athletes, and advocates to promote health, wellness, and inclusion.

The Parker Foundation’s Unity Banner is surrounded by a group of young people and supporters. The 9th Annual Be A Buddy 5K & Family Health Expo will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This unique event will take place at the Field of Dreams, 3053 Fell Road, West Melbourne, Florida.

I had the opportunity to talk with Melissa Parker, co-founder of The Parker Foundation, about the importance of the event. She told me:

“The Be a Buddy 5K is more than a race—it’s a movement that brings our community together around kindness, inclusion, and belonging for individuals of all abilities.

Every step supports The Parker Foundation’s Be a Buddy Initiative and helps us share our simple but powerful pledge: Be kind to ourselves. Be kind to others. Be kind to our earth.

Through the 5K, we also unveil our giant traveling Unity Banner which we bring to all of our free sports, arts and education events, giving people of all ages the opportunity to add their name and make a visible commitment to kindness. Together, we’re showing that small acts of kindness can create a powerful ripple effect of change. ”

Melissa Parker (pictured) is the cofounder of The Parker Foundation for Autism and Child Development. Their 9th Annual Be A Buddy 5K & Family Health Expo will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This unique event will take place at the Field of Dreams, 3053 Fell Road, West Melbourne, Florida.

Even if you aren’t running the 5K, there is plenty to experience at the expo, which is completely free to the public. Highlights include:

  • Adaptive Sports and Games tailored to ensure everyone can participate.
  • Local Non-Profit and Sponsor Vendors showcasing health and community resources.
  • Trick-or-Treating to give kids an early, safe taste of Halloween fun.

If you are interested in sponsorships, vendor opportunities, or volunteering, you can reach out directly via email at info@theparkerfoundation.com.

Whether you want to run for a personal best, walk with friends, or assemble a massive corporate team, registration is open now. To register for the 5K, CLICK HERE.

Article sponsored by Erdman Automotive and Craig Technologies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 27 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.