Spectrum of Lights: Gateway High School Marching Band leads parade at inaugural Kennywood event
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Kennywood Park will be the site of the inaugural Spectrum of Lights Night, from 5 to 9 on Nov. 30.
The fundraising event, hosted and produced by the Autism Employment Network, will feature the traditional holiday events that Kennywood generally offers, such as games, concessions, select rides and millions of lights. This specific event will also include many exclusive, sensory-friendly activities.
“This is a celebration of inclusive hiring,” says Bryan Kiger, founder and CEO of the Autism Employment Network, which operates SpectroDolce Confectionery at the Monroeville Mall.
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to assisting adults on the autism spectrum obtain gainful employment. Kiger stresses the importance of working as a path to independence, social inclusion and a sense of pride.
In addition to information booths and interactive employment demonstrations by the network’s inclusive hiring partners, Spectrum of Lights features appearances by WTAE-TV personalities Jeff Verszyla and Kelly Sasso, plus the Pirate Parrot. There will also be an interactive batting game and a chocolate treat-dipping party.
The Gateway High School Marching Band will lead a parade to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. According to Band Director Ryan Moser, the band is made up of 75 students in seventh through 12th grades, and performs during football games and at local and regional marching band competitions.
“As ambassadors for the Gateway community, we take part in the annual Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades and celebrations in Monroeville and Pitcairn,” Moser said. “We are honored to take part in the Spectrum of Lights, and hope that our performance can add to the magic of such a special event.”
Band Together Pittsburgh, which provides musical opportunities for community members on the spectrum, will perform. And in conjunction with the Autism Employment Network’s purpose, this is a paid appearance for the Band Together Pittsburgh members.
“One of the main attractions will be our sensory-friendly disco dance party,” Kiger said. “This is a silent disco, in which music is transmitted through headphones.”
According to Kiger, there will be three sources of music, and the headphones will light up different colors, depending on which music a person is listening to.
“Dancers have control of the volume and music style. This will give the people the ability to find others who have the same color headphones and dance along with them, or dance alone if they choose,” he said.
One of the main objectives of the Autism Employment Network, Kiger said, is to make the employment world welcoming to all people, whether they be neurotypical or neurodivergent. The latter refers to those individuals whose brain has developed or works differently from what is deemed typical. “Neurodivergent” is a nonmedical term and describes people who have a learning disability or medical condition, such as autism.
The network strives to educate employers about autism disorder, break down barriers to employment for people on the spectrum and help those individuals find meaningful employment opportunities.
All proceeds from the Spectrum of Lights Night will go to the Autism Employment Network, and all members of the community are invited to attend. It is important to note that the Spectrum of Lights is a free-standing event; Kennywood season pass holders will need to purchase separate tickets. Children 3 and under are free, and parking is free.
For event ticket information, visit autismemploymentnetwork.com.