Rio to Host 5th Annual Hope Fest

An evening of hope, healing, and connection awaits at the 5th Annual Hope Fest, taking place Thursday, September 25 from 4–8 p.m. at the University of Rio Grande. This free community event brings together residents from across the region in a shared commitment to mental wellness and suicide prevention.

This year’s festival will feature live music, food trucks, local vendors and businesses, face painting, a petting zoo, and fun activities for all ages. The goal: to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and celebrate the strength of community.

In addition to the entertainment and community-building activities, Hope Fest will offer opportunities for remembrance and reflection through memorial luminaries, honoring those lost and lifting up those who continue to struggle.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals, businesses, and organizations who want to support this mission and be part of the change:

• Event Sponsorship ($500): Logo on website, marketing materials, t-shirt, free shirt, vendor table, program listing, and memorial luminary.

• T-shirt Sponsorship ($200): Logo on t-shirt, free shirt, vendor table, program listing, and memorial luminary.

• Vendor Sponsorship ($30): Vendor table, program listing, and memorial luminary.

• Memorial Sponsorship ($10): Memorial luminary honoring a loved one.

• Event T-shirts ($15)

Funds raised will benefit mental health services at Rio and help fund the Mindy Pope Scholarship. The scholarship was created as a tribute to the memory of Mindy Pope, a former student and athlete whose life was tragically cut short by opioid addiction.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please visit rio.edu/hopefest or email Bethany Strickland, Director of Mental Wellbeing at bstrickland@rio.edu.