More Than a Fall Festival: Why This Day Means So Much to Our Family

When people hear "Fall Festival," they probably picture pumpkins, candy, carnival games, food trucks, and children running around with smiles on their faces.

And they're right.

But for our family, this event means so much more.

Ryatt's Wings was born from the deepest heartbreak imaginable. After losing our son, Ryatt, we knew we had a choice. We could allow grief to consume us, or we could honor his life by creating something that would bring hope to other families facing impossible situations.

We chose hope.

Our Fall Festival is our very first community fundraiser, but it isn't just about raising money. It's about bringing people together. It's about creating memories with your children. It's about neighbors supporting neighbors. It's about showing vulnerable children and families that they are seen, valued, and loved.

As parents, we know how quickly life can change.

One moment you're carving pumpkins, laughing over a game of ring toss, or taking silly family photos. The next, you may find yourself sitting beside a hospital bed wondering what tomorrow will bring.

Those experiences changed our family forever.

They also changed our hearts.

Every ticket purchased, every vendor who joins us, every sponsor who believes in our mission, every volunteer who gives their time, and every family who comes out to enjoy the day helps us continue Ryatt's legacy. Together, we're working toward a future where families caring for hospitalized, medically fragile, foster, and vulnerable children know they don't have to walk through their hardest days alone.

This festival is for the kids who deserve to simply be kids.

It's for the parents who need hope.

It's for the caregivers who need encouragement.

And it's for a little boy named Ryatt, whose life continues to inspire kindness, compassion, and action every single day.

So come paint a pumpkin. Play a game. Meet local businesses. Enjoy great food. Let your kids laugh until they're out of breath. Create memories you'll treasure.

Because while you're making memories with your family, you'll also be helping another family find hope.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in Ryatt's Wings and helping us turn heartbreak into hope.

We can't wait to see you at the Fall Festival.

Saturday, October 17, 20262:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Memorial Baptist Church – Pasadena, Texas

Together, we can remind every child and every family that they are never alone.

"It shouldn't hurt to be a child."