Wilkes-Barre event with live bands aims to boost autism awareness

KINGSTON — Light It Up Blue, an annual autism-awareness event, has grown into a fun community celebration this year, featuring live bands, food trucks, and vendors on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre.

Carol McGrane, director of Graham Academy, shared that the academy partnered with King’s College, Wilkes University, and Misericordia University to make this year’s event more community-oriented and larger than ever.

Graham Academy provides educational and social programming for over 200 students with various disabilities, including autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances, from kindergarten through age 22. The event, launched in April 2021 during World Autism Awareness Month, is named after the color blue, symbolizing autism awareness.

“We went above and beyond this year,” said McGrane, noting that past events featured selected students spending a day as honorary mayor, council member, police chief, or fire chief. This year, the academy aims to involve more families and provide resources to the community.

Light It Up Blue kicks off with a 5K Walk at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, starting and ending on Public Square. Registration is $25, and the first 250 registrants will receive a commemorative T-shirt. The event features live performances, including:

– Midnight Rhythm Section at noon
– Justin Bravo and the Kind at 1:30 p.m.
– Rainbridge at 3 p.m.
– Johnny Cash tribute band at 4:30 p.m.
– The Jimmy Band at 6 p.m.

The guest speaker, Ben Hartranft, an adult with autism and motivational speaker, will speak at 4 p.m. through his organization, Benergy.

Proceeds from the 5K walk will go to the Moment of Magic Foundation chapter at Misericordia University, candle sales will benefit SAFE (Supporting Autistic Families Everywhere), and T-shirt sales will support Challenger Baseball, a league for children with physical and intellectual challenges.

Asked about the event’s theme, program supervisor Bob Steinberger pointed to the phrase:

“What makes you different is what makes you amazing.”

“We celebrate the differences of individuals living with autism,” Steinberger said. “Their brains work differently than neurotypical individuals, but they have so much to offer the world and our community.”

Graham Academy upper school students Angel Pietri and Hunter Snyder designed this year’s puzzle piece artwork and theme.

“When I first started at Graham Academy in 2008, 1 in 88 students were diagnosed with autism. Now, it’s 1 in 36,” McGrane said. “We want more awareness and acceptance of our community.”

McGrane emphasized the importance of providing resources to families. “When a child gets diagnosed with autism, it’s not a bad thing. It’s about the resources you have behind you. We want families to know there are schools and organizations to support them.”

Corey Koons, special education coordinator, added, “We focus on students’ strengths, celebrating their capabilities through events like talent shows and science fairs. They are just as capable as any general education student and have so much to offer.”

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