Families, Fun, and Friendship Shine at the 2025 Fragile X Family Picnic
The North Carolina Fragile X Foundation hosted its annual Family Picnic on Saturday, October 11, at Lake Mackintosh Park in Burlington, and it was a day filled with sunshine, laughter, and community. With beautiful fall weather and more than 80 attendees, families enjoyed a day of connection, relaxation, and friendly competition.
A Day Planned with Heart
A big thank-you goes to Tim Field, who once again served as Picnic Chair along with his family members Phineas and Nico. His outstanding organization and trademark sense of fun made the day run smoothly from start to finish. Tim’s leadership and creativity have made this event a highlight for many Fragile X families year after year.
Families were welcomed by a lineup of community partners and vendors eager to share valuable resources. Representatives from Trillium Health Resources, Alliance Health, the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC), the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities Participant Registry Team, the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Voices Together were all on hand to meet families and answer questions. Voices Together also generously provided a gift basket for a raffle drawing, which brought big smiles to the crowd.
Food, Games and Laughter
No North Carolina gathering would be complete without great food! Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch of authentic North Carolina barbecue and Chick-fil-A meals for the kids (and a few adults who couldn’t resist).
The afternoon was packed with outdoor fun – cornhole, giant Jenga, and giant Connect Four kept everyone laughing between bites. The highlight of the day came during the Field Games, when everyone from age 8 to 80 joined in friendly competition. Participants were divided into four teams representing different regions of our state, NC Possums, Mountain Goats, Turtles, and Buccaneer. These four teams faced off in the javelin throw, egg races, water balloon toss, and three-legged races, all cheered on by spectators with a healthy dose of team spirit and laughter.
Bingo and Big Smiles
For those looking for a little more action after the field games, everyone gathered back at the clubhouse for an exciting round of Bingo – a new addition to the picnic this year! Board member Brittney Tillman served as the Bingo caller, keeping the energy high and the games moving with her warmth, humor, and enthusiasm. It was the perfect way to end the afternoon – with smiles, prizes, and plenty of laughter echoing through the clubhouse.
Capturing the Day
A heartfelt thank you also goes to our photographers, Dr. Gail Spiridigliozzi and Hannah Johnson, for beautifully capturing the joy and togetherness of the day. Their photos will help us relive these special moments for years to come. Click here to view all the photos.
Community, Connection and Celebration
Beyond the food and fun, the day represented what makes the Fragile X community so special – belonging, inclusion, and shared understanding. Parents connected with others who truly understand the Fragile X journey, while children and adults alike made new friends and celebrated old ones.
The North Carolina Fragile X Foundation extends heartfelt thanks to all the families, volunteers, and vendors who made this day possible and especially to Tim Field for his continued leadership and countless hours of giving back to this community. It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and love reminding us all that our community grows stronger each time we come together.