Autism Rocks and Rolls first annual Summer Fest

BLOOMINGTON – Autism Rocks and Rolls is holding its first annual Summer fest on August 5th at Fowler Pumpkin Patch in Bloomington.

Tickets are donations with a minimum amount of $10, and will go to support Autism Rocks and Rolls, a non-profit organization started by Sam Mitchell in 2019 to show that people on the autism spectrum are not “disabled,” instead they are “differently abled.”

The event will feature:

  • Rubber Duck scavenger hunt
  • Raffles
  • Prizes, including:
    • A large bluetooth speaker, Ninja Creami, t-shirts, Outback coupons, Wendy’s coupons, a free airplane ride, beach towels, homemade apple pie, IU signed soccer ball, Koozies, ARAR gadgets, many other gift cards, Poker run baskets and prizes.
  • Poker Run

Extra charge will apply to:

  • Kona
  • Cornhole
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Baked cookies
  • Insomnia Cookies

The Summer Fest will also feature the All Access Band at 6:30 p.m., and Indianapolis’s own Duke Tumatoe at 7:30 p.m.

The Poker Run begins at the Harley-Davidson Shop in Bloomington with registration starting at 9:30 a.m., and ends at Fowlers.

Registration is $25 for riders, $15 for passengers, any and all motorcycles are welcome, and the entry fee for Duke is included.

The winner of the Poker Run will be announced between the bands.

About Autism Rocks and Rolls:

Autism Rocks and Rolls Corporation was started by 20-year-old Sam Mitchell, in October of 2019. It began with a simple interest in media when he was a junior in high school and has led to him becoming an entrepreneur by creating his own NonProfit and podcast, Autism Rocks and Rolls Corporation. His nonprofit and advocacy offers public speaking, podcast coaching, podcast editing, sponsorships, ad space, merchandise, educational supplements, guest appearances, and guest space on his podcast.

Goals

Sam is a high-functioning human being on the autism spectrum, but he has a mission: to show people that he is not broken, does not need to be fixed, there is no normal in this world, and he is successful, WITH autism. Sam wants to celebrate the successes of all. He embraces who he is and feels as though everyone should do the same. His mission has caught on and this powerful and extraordinary idea is catching on and gotten the world’s attention. People are differently-abled, not disabled.

  • The mission of Autism Rocks and Rolls is to take the stigma off of autism and other conditions that many think are disabilities. People on the spectrum are not broken and do not need to be fixed. Those who have conditions or abilities do not want to be pitied. There is nothing to be sorry about. 
  • The vision of Autism Rocks and Rolls (ARAR) wants to work to help shift the conversation to inclusion. For far too long, people living with autism have been considered disabled, but ARAR believes that individuals on the spectrum do not need to be fixed. In order to change this common misconception, ARAR is working to develop media, educational, social, and medical content that works to achieve this goal.
  • As a corporation and board, they feel as though there is something missing when a parent receives the news that their child has autism, a person finds out they have autism, or a professional is talking to a person about autism. The conversation that is missing is that autism is brain wiring and can be celebrated. This is their mission and what they want to change.