The Zachary Thomas Carter Foundation is hosting a Spring Festival on Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Pike Place, featuring live music, games, food and community resources.
The family-friendly event will include face painting, carnival-style games, a raffle, a jewelry-making station and free popcorn. Food trucks, including Smokin’ Melts & Rollin’ Dough, will also be on site. Activities will require tickets, which will be available for purchase at five for $1.
The festival is held in memory of Zachary Carter, who died in 2022 after struggling with his mental health. The foundation was created to honor his life by supporting others who face similar difficulties and by promoting mental health education.
All ZTC board members are certified in QPR, a suicide prevention training program that teaches individuals how to recognize and respond to signs of a suicide crisis. The foundation aims to provide support through education and prevention and states its mission is to spread love and joy.
Elizabeth Hulberte, Carter’s aunt, will speak during the event about mental health awareness and share her personal experiences.
Community organizations such as Crawfordsville Pride, the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau and the National Alliance on Mental Illness will be present with informational booths. There will be vendors including T-Rific, Coal Creek Goods, the Girl Scouts and others.
