The eighth annual Lansdowne Heroes Walk and Roll took place at the Brant Park Conservation Area on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Throughout the event, guests, including superhero characters like Spider-Man, Batgirl, Batman and Brantford’s own Captain Kindness, spent the afternoon exploring a host of activities such as carnival games and inflatable attractions, a live reptile show, face painting and music from The Shrubberies.
While many spent their time checking out the on-siteLightning McQueen car, others interacted with first responders from Brantford Fire Services, chatted with Doug “the Great” Hunt, dressed up for a fun photo or explored the various community partners and vendors on site.
Before setting out on the one-kilometre walk and roll around the park grounds, Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma, community officials and Lansdowne staff took the opportunity to thank the crowd for supporting the Lansdowne Children’s Centre and introduced this year’s ambassador, Mason Bowen.
Bowen happily shared he was excited to be at the event and was particularly pleased to see a fellow Spider-Man in his midst.
“I’m so excited because I’m Spider-Man, and I’m so happy Spider-Man is here too,” he said, with a giggle. “I’m so happy he’s finally here!”
Bowen’s mother, Chrissy Walsh, said she and her son have been working with the local non-profit since he was a baby, and were honoured to be part of the event.
“Mason has a rare genetic disorder called Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome, and so we’ve been involved with Lansdowne for 12 years now,” she said. “Over the years, they’ve provided so many different services, like speech and physiotherapy, and have been such an important part of our journey. Mason truly wouldn’t be walking, talking or being able to participate in his community the way that he does without Lansdowne’s support. It was so awesome to be invited to be their ambassador this year.”
For Lansdowne Executive Director Rita-Marie Hadley, having Bowen serve as this year’s ambassador was a reflection of what the Heroes Walk and Roll is all about; celebrating the unique abilities of children the centre supports and bringing the community together.
“This event is a really inclusive way that our kids who live with physical, communication or developmental differences, as well as those of us who have different ways of moving about, are fully able to participate in a short, but very pleasant walk through Brant Park. It’s also a way for our partners, volunteers, sponsors and the community to come out and be part of something together,” she said. “We acknowledge that some of the challenges that our kids live with can feel heroic. We have kids who are amazing in their own right, and so being able to dress up like heroes alongside them really adds an element of fun. And with having a young ambassador like Mason, who can really personify that potential and excitement, it feels really good to share that. You can’t make kids want to be ambassadors, and so we’re really lucky that he has an outgoing and genuine personality because it gives you an idea of just how every child we support at Lansdowne is unique and has amazing potential.”
Noting there were other events taking place across the city, Hadley said she was thankful for those who took the time to stop by.
“We’re very grateful for people who are able to show up today because we know all the other great things that are happening today too,” she said. “This event supports the areas where there may be greater needs than what we have funds for and so we appreciate everyone who came out to celebrate with us.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
