Families gather for event for children on the autism spectrum

Families from across Dallas County gathered Oct. 18 for the inaugural Harvest of Hope Festival, a sensory-friendly fall celebration hosted by Friends of Olivia, a local support group for families with members on the autism spectrum. 

Friends of Olivia was founded by Paige Harris and her husband Chris after their 3-year-old daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with autism. They quickly discovered the lack of services available to families in the area.  

Friends of Olivia hopes to compile information on services available for people with autism and create inclusive events that welcome all children and families. Their first festival in Selma featured arts and crafts, a cake walk, and a petting zoo, all designed with sensory accessibility in mind. 

“We have a great turnout,” said Paige Harris as the event kicked off. “It’s just starting, and we’ve already got a lot of people here. A lot of families have come up and said just how excited they are about the future for Selma and Dallas County.” 

The festival started at 3 p.m. and ran until 6 p.m., offering a supportive environment where children could play freely and families could connect.  

The Harris’hope the Harvest of Hope Festival will become an annual tradition.