Hundreds will gather Saturday to walk in the annual Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk.

Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Monona Terrace in Exhibition Hall B.  The one-mile walk will begin at 2:45 p.m.  Registration costs $20 for adults and $10 for children.

Festivities include live music by The Pool Boys, an appearance by Bucky Badger from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., games by "It's Your Party," face painting, silent auction and more, said a press release.

"The Step Up Walk is different than the Society’s other events – it is special because it is through this walk that we are going to be able to open a new advocacy center which will enable people with Down syndrome to express their voice publicly through policy leaders," said MADSS Executive Director, Sterling Lynk.

Funds raised will help with programming for those impacted by Down Syndrome.

A conference highlighting the benefits of solar energy will be held at Monona Terrace Thursday.

Solar Powering Your Community will give attendees resources to build and implement solar plans in Madison, said a press release.  The initiative to reduce solar costs is called Grow Solar Wisconsin.

The conference will provide resources to design a community-based solar plan and will share nationwide practices.  It will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The keynote address will be given by Paula Mints, director of energy at Navigant Consulting, and Sarah L. White, Ph. D., senior associate at the Center on Wisconsin Strategy.  Other conference highlights include Solar 3.0 training, break-out sessions and an exhibit hall.

For more information about the conference and a full list of presenters visit www.growsolar.org.

The Colombia Support Network will celebrate their 25th anniversary beginning Saturday.

A speaking tour will be held from Oct. 6 to 17 in Madison.  The tour will kick off with an opening celebration in the Great Hall at the Memorial Union.

Sunday, the group will speak at 9 a.m. and 11 1.m. at the United Church of Christ in Fitchburg.  On Tuesday, Oct. 9, a 7 p.m. talk will be given at Edgewood College entitled "How the United Nations have been present in the life of the Peace Community."  Additional events will be held at UW-Madison and throughout the community.

CSN works to "defend human rights and advocate for a negotiated solution to the Colombian conflict through strengthening civilian society and giving support to grassroots groups," said a press release.

For more information about CSN of the speaking tour, visit colombiasupport.net/ or call 608-257-8753.