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Boston Globe
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Boston Marathon will offer sensory-friendly area along course for spectators with autism, other needs
Laura Amico and her son, who has autism, watch the 2024 Boston Marathon. This year, the family will be watching from a sensory-friendly area the BAA is staging for the first time. (Laura Amico) Laura Amico This year, Amico and her son will be watching the race from a Campbell said the move builds on the Boston Marathon's work over the past several decades to make the race accessible to para athletes. The Advertisement 'This year is really the chance to turn that spotlight on the spectators and make sure we're not just taking care of our participants and being inclusive there, but we want everyone coming,' Campbell said. Amico was the one to inspire the BAA to create a designated area for people with sensory difficulties; she called the association with her experience and idea after the marathon last year. Advertisement 'While I was there, I was thinking it would be much easier to stay if the speakers were just a few blocks away and people didn't have cowbells,' Amico said. 'Those seemed like two really simple adjustments that would make the day so much easier for my family.' After that, BAA connected with the Flutie Foundation, a Waltham-based organization that aims to increase quality of life for people with autism. The organization has helped create BAA and Flutie found the perfect location for the sensory-friendly zone outside of Parsons Tolles Center, a senior citizen center in Wellesley. The center is located right along the course of the marathon, and spectators will have the entire sidewalk that runs along the center's property to watch from. The day of the marathon, the parking lot in front of the center will be empty, providing additional space for people to spread out and retreat from the race if they need to. In addition, the center will provide spectators with indoor access, including accessible bathrooms. There won't be a restriction on how much noise someone inside or outside the space can make, but the expectation is that people be mindful of people around them, Campbell said. 'It's going to be an opportunity for people to spectate the event without changing what the event is,' said Ethan Michaud, director of development for the Flutie Foundation. 'It just changes how they are able to experience it and knowing that they have the space to go that allows them that flexibility.' Advertisement In addition to the indoor space, the enclosed area has a parking lot in front of the sidewalk where spectators can watch the runners, offering enough space for people to spread out and engage in other activities if they need to, Campbell said. The area will be staffed by the Flutie Foundation and Boston Marathon volunteers. Michaud said Flutie will provide fidget toys, headphones, and ear plugs to spectators while preserving the original experience of the Boston Marathon. 'It's not an activity zone, not a silent zone, just a place where it can be what it needs to be for people who are attending,' Michaud said. 'People who benefit from these types of places want the opportunity to experience the event as it's meant to be experienced.' Campbell said BAA and Flutie will collect feedback from attendees and volunteers after the marathon with the goal of improving the area and possibly expanding it to other spots along the course in the future. The organizations are also 'We believe we're one of the first mass participation outdoor events to have this kind of area, so it's really exciting for us to see how it goes,' Campbell said. Last year, Amico's family left the marathon early because of how overwhelming it was for her son, and the family missed seeing friends run the marathon. This year, Amico's family will be watching from Wellesley. 'I'm just so thrilled that BAA took the idea and ran with it,' she said. 'For me, to have the kids see people who have worked hard to be the best of the best and have an opportunity to see those people is something that I want them to be included in.' Advertisement Emily Spatz can be reached at
Boston Globe
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Boston Marathon Fan Fest returns to City Hall Plaza with festivity filled weekend
Hawkes recommends kids check out the Citgo Road to Boston Fun Zone—an activity course with cheer-card decorating, crafts, and mini fitness stations. Balloon artists, face painting, henna tattoos, and other family-friendly activities will also be available throughout the venue. Advertisement The festivities start at 3:30 p.m. Friday with a set from the Big Party Orchestra, followed at 6 p.m. by the Felix Brown Band from Sharon, Mass., known for covering everything from rock to funk to pop hits. Saturday's lineup starts at 10 a.m. with a half-hour-long yoga class led by marathon runner and instructor Adina Crawford. The rest of the day's activities include the Flutie Foundation's STARS of the Spectrum, a musical group composed of neurodiverse performers, meet-and-greets with marathon runners, and the musical acts The 1999, Legends of Summer, and The Femmes. Related : On Sunday, acts include Different StrokeZ and DJ-band combo Beach Nights. More pro runners, including 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi, will appear for photos and autographs 2-3:30 weekend wraps with a 4 p.m. set by Boston rapper KR Dorsey. Advertisement More information about Fan Fest is available on the How to get there Taking the T? The Green and Blue lines both stop at Government Center, just steps from City Hall Plaza. Coming via the Orange Line? Get off at State Street for a short walk. Driving instead? Several nearby garages offer parking, typically around $30 per hour. However, some — like Center Plaza and 60 State Street — offer weekend specials with all-day rates of $20. 'We always encourage people to take the T, especially over race weekend,' said Hawkes. 'Traffic and parking can be really challenging with so many road closures and people in the city, so taking the MBTA is just the simplest, most efficient way to get around—especially between the finish line in the Back Bay and City Hall Plaza.' Bonus: Mile 27 Post-Race Party After the race on Monday, the Fan Fest venue at City Hall Plaza transforms into the Mile 27 Post-Race Party, . For just $5, spectators and runners alike can enjoy food, drinks, a live DJ and a performance by local country band Dalton & the Sheriffs. The party runs from noon to 8 p.m. Tickets and more information are available on the Nathan Metcalf can be reached at
