The Panhandle Down Syndrome Guild will host its third Annual Buddy Walk® at Sam Houston Park on Saturday, with registration at 9 a.m. and the walk at 10 a.m.

Chris Burke, an actor with Down syndrome who played "Corky" on the hit TV series "Life Goes On," and friends Joe and John DeMasi will entertain the crowd with rock 'n' roll music and their rousing message of inclusion and acceptance of people with disabilities.

In addition to the musical celebration, those who attend the Buddy Walk® will be treated to food, games, prizes, face painting, a petting zoo, bounce houses for children of all ages and a rock-climbing wall.

The family-friendly event is sponsored by the Panhandle Down Syndrome Guild, a local support group for families affected by Down syndrome. Proceeds will benefit the guild's outreach efforts and the National Down Syndrome Society to support research.

The event is open to the public, and admission is free, though donations will be accepted.

Those who raise money are eligible for commemorative T-shirts and other prizes.

For information, contact Jeff Medford at 358-6294 or Vicki Cabrera at 468-9088 or e-mail, PanhandleDSG@yahoo.com.

Burke and the DeMasi brothers also will share their message with schools in the Texas Panhandle on Wednesday through Friday.

Appearances are scheduled at the following times and places:

9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sam Houston Middle School; 1 p.m., Wednesday, Canyon Intermediate School; 10 a.m. Thursday, Borger Middle School; 2 p.m. Thursday, Caprock High School; 9:30 a.m. Friday, Hereford Elementary School; 2:45 p.m. Friday, Trinity Fellowship School.

As part of their continuing effort to promote inclusion and ability awareness, the trio lend celebrity support to several performing arts programs in the summer for people with disabilities.

They have also received numerous awards from ARC's and Down Syndrome organizations throughout the country for their work on behalf of people with disabilities.

The Buddy Walk is an advocacy walk developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate October, National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

The walk has three primary goals: To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome; to raise funds locally and nationally for education, research and advocacy programs; and to enhance the position of the Down syndrome community.

In the past 10 years, the Buddy Walk® has grown from 17 walks to more than 200 expected in 2004 across the country and around the world. More than 200,000 people are expected to participate in Buddy Walks® this year.