2026 DD Awareness Events
Show your pride and come to one of the DD Awareness Month events Portage DD has planned. Make sure to also wear your DD Awareness Month shirt and post pics on social media with you and your friends to spread the message of inclusion, awareness, and pride. Don't forget to tag @PortageDD.
The best part of #DDAwareness is that you can show it from anywhere
FULL CALENDAR COMING SOON.
February
Art Night at JAKE’S EATS
LOCATION: 4680 Prospect Street, Mantua
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, February 3rd at 5:00 pm
INFO: Registration required: events@portagedd.org
NOTE: This restaurant is not wheelchair accessible.
LEAP ADVOCACY MEETING
LOCATION: 167 E. Main St. Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, February 10th from 10:00 - 11:00 am.
INFO: Join the Loyal, Effective, Ambitious People (L.E.A.P.) Advocacy Group for an exclusive look at all the upcoming events for March DD Awareness Month. We will also focus on the key concepts of effective advocacy and the practical strategies for successfully spreading awareness!
Art Night at Happy day services building
LOCATION: 2500 Brady Lake Road
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, February 10th from 5:00 -7:00 pm.
INFO: Registration required: events@portagedd.org
Art Night at Kent Free Library
LOCATION: 312 W. Main St. Kent
DATE & TIME: Monday, February 16th at 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm
SESSION 1 REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE
SESSION 2 REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE
Art Night at Reed Memorial Library, jenkins room
LOCATION: 167 E. Main St. Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Monday, February 23rd from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
INFO: Registration required: CLICK HERE
March
Family Fun Day at Spins Bowl Kent
LOCATION: Spins Bowl - 2245 State Rt 59, Kent
DATE & TIME: Sunday, March 1st
INFO: Spins Bowl Kent (2245 State Rt 59 Kent) 1:00pm - 4:00pm Activities available: Bowling and $5 arcade card (for persons served or eligible for services only). No cost for Bowling (2 game limit) and shoes, open to persons served or eligible for services and up to 3 guests. Registration required to bowl: events@portagedd.org . Lane times available: 1 pm or 2:30 pm (limit one time slot) on a first-come basis. Please indicate the desired time.
Art Night at Pierce Streetsboro Library
LOCATION: 8990 Kirby Lane, Streetsboro
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, March 2nd from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
INFO: Registration required: LINK TBD
DD Awareness day at the ohio statehouse watch party
LOCATION: Happy Day Services - 2500 Brady Lake Road, Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, March 4, from 9:30 - 11:30 am
INFO: Each March every year, hundreds of advocates come to the Ohio Statehouse to advocate on issues important to Ohioans with developmental disabilities. Join us to watch virtually the DD Awareness Day activities at the Ohio Statehouse. Lite refreshments provided. For more information, contact Eric Larsen at ericl@portagedd.org or (330) 774-0349.
Transition fair at reed memorial library
LOCATION: 167 E. Main St. Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Saturday, March 7th, from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
INFO: The Portage County Transition Committee wants to connect students with disabilities and their families to community agencies, service providers, and employers to help plan for life after high school. For any questions, please contact Laura Fechter at Lauraf@portagedd.org.
silent disco/Dance/karaoke night
LOCATION: Independence Of Portage County, Inc. Gym - 575 E. Lake Street, Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, March 10th, from 6:30-8:00 pm
INFO: Come show off your singing talents or dance to your own beat. Event is free and open to the public.
Movie Night - HOPPERS
LOCATION: Ravenna 7 Movie Theater - 215 W. Cedar Avenue, Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 12th at 6:00 pm
INFO: Movie, 12 oz. drink and boxed popcorn at no cost to persons served by Portage DD and up to three guests. RSVP required to events@portagedd.org or by calling 330-296-2839 ext. 3148, when registering please provide name of person served, number of guest and a contact number.
Do Not Contact the Theater.
IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE TALENT SHOW
LOCATION: Independence Of Portage County, Inc. Gym - 575 E. Lake Street, Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 19th from 5:30 - 8:00 pm
INFO: Lights-up for It’s Your Time to Shine Talent Show! If you are interested in performing, please register with this link https://forms.office.com/g/gpcZaf4XZj. Contact Colleen Brown at colleenb@portagedd.org with any questions.
Hike Club
LOCATION: Sunny Lake Park - 885 Mennonite Road, Aurora
DATE & TIME: Monday, March 23rd at 4:30 pm
INFO: Questions? Contact Eric Larsen at ericl@portagedd.org or (330) 774-0349. Registration is not necessary however, if you would like to be notified about any changes in the schedule, please email Eric to get on the notification list. 1.75 miles.
DD Awareness Rally
LOCATION: Downtown Ravenna in front of Courthouse
DATE & TIME: Friday, March 27th, at 10:00 am
INFO: Wear your Portage DD, DD Awareness Month T-shirts and show your support. All are welcome! For more information, contact Eric Larsen at ericl@portagedd.org or (330) 774-0349.
April
Hike Club
LOCATION: Osprey Loop (1.62) at Trail Lake Park - 605 Ravenna Road, Streetsboro)
DATE & TIME: Thursday, April 2nd at 4:30 pm
INFO: Questions? Contact Eric Larsen at ericl@portagedd.org or (330) 774-0349. Registration is not necessary however, if you would like to be notified about any changes in the schedule, please email Eric to get on the notification list. 1.75 miles.
Movie Night - Super Mario Galaxy
LOCATION: Ravenna 7 Movie Theater - 215 W. Cedar Avenue, Ravenna
DATE & TIME: Monday, April 6th at 6:00 pm
INFO: Movie, 12 oz. drink and boxed popcorn at no cost to persons served by Portage DD and up to three guests. RSVP required to events@portagedd.org or by calling 330-296-2839 ext. 3148, when registering please provide name of person served, number of guest and a contact number.
Do Not Contact the Theater.
Limitless art show and Sale
LOCATION: North Water Brewing Company (101 Crain Ave, Kent, OH)
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, April 28th from 4:00 - 8:30 pm
INFO: Celebrate the artists, enjoy the community, and take home original artwork. Cash sales are preferred. All artwork is priced at $50 or less, and all proceeds go directly to the artists.