New organizer draws bigger crowd for Duluth Autism Walk

Hundreds turned out at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on Sunday for a revived Autism Walk that organizers said had already drawn 500 registrations, a sign that St. Louis County families are still looking for visible, low-pressure spaces built around inclusion and support.

The Different-Not Less Foundation took over the event after the previous hosts stepped down, bringing back the walk under a new name and a broader outreach push. Foundation secretary Devon Maycock said the response from the community was stronger than the group expected in its first year leading the effort, and the turnout appeared to validate that bet on a bigger, louder, more visible event.

The walk had deeper roots than a one-day gathering. Autism Walk Northland began in 2007 and ran for 18 years before its final event under the old organizing group in April 2025. In earlier years, the walk had shifted indoors and was held at Hermantown High School’s gym, where one organizer said the setting let autistic attendees be themselves with “no judgment” and have fun with peers.

The 2026 version moved to the DECC and was built to be easy to navigate. WDIO said the free event was open to anyone, with doors opening at 10 a.m. and the walk starting at 11 a.m. The route covered 1.31 miles through the Skywalk, and the day also included sensory rooms, a fire truck, a police car, Animal Allies pets, face painting and other family activities.

That mix points to what many families in Duluth and across Northland are signaling: the need is not only for awareness, but for practical support that works in real life. A crowded, sensory-aware event can function as both a social outing and a pressure test for services, showing where families feel welcomed and where they still struggle to find accessible activities, diagnosis support and community understanding.

The Different-Not Less Foundation says it was created by autism moms and local professionals with personal connections to autism, and that its mission is to continue the legacy of Autism Walk Northland while expanding its impact. Its registration page described the event as a place for families, friends, educators, caregivers and advocates to gather in acceptance and understanding.

For Duluth, the strong turnout suggested the walk is doing more than replacing an old tradition. It is becoming a local access point, a place where families can be seen, connect with each other and find a clearer path into a community network that still has room to grow.