The 39th annual GRIP Harmony Walk in the Park on Saturday, October 18th, 2025 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is expanding this year, while dropping the price to $0, with a live jazz fusion band, additional food trucks, a massive video screen with a virtual tour and celebration video, and more games, booths, and community connections.
FREE REGISTRATION: Let us know you’re coming so we can better plan. Click “Get Tickets” and they’re free.
“This year’s Harmony Walk is all about removing barriers and making sure everyone can be part of the celebration,” Ralph Payton, executive director, said. “By making the event free, we’re opening the doors even wider for our neighbors to come together, enjoy a day in the park, and stand united in the fight against hunger and homelessness. Harmony Walk has always been about community—and 2025 will be our most inclusive year yet.”
New this year, live music from the 10-piece jazz-funk band Suuittcaze will create the perfect vibe for a host of gourmet food trucks from Mi Casa Grill, El Sol, and long-time Harmony Walk fav, Curbside Kitchen. GRIP will also be selling popcorn and snow cones, and many park-goers will pack a picnic lunch as they play, dance, and see if they won raffle prizes.
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Among the community groups and businesses exhibiting will be a mobile recording studio with real-time songwriting and beat-making support from Hip Hop Therapy/Beats, Rhymes, and Life, plus Brighter Beginnings, Bay Area Community Resources, CoBiz, the Contra Costa Library, Crochet Crafts Booth, Faby-Lou’s Plants, Hip Hop for Change, Four Elements Fitness/Tuff Love Self Defense, and so many more.
KEY INFO
Date: Saturday, October 18th, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Nicholl Park on MacDonald in Richmond, Calif.
Price: Participation is free! T-shirts are $10, raffle tickets $1. Please do register so we know how many to expect: Eventbrite page
What: Food, fun, bounce house, live music community connection, games, activities, raffle prizes. Tour of GRIP, and/or virtual tour on the big screen in the park
Food Trucks: Mi Casa Grill, El Sol, and Curbside Kitchen
Other food options: Picnic lunches are encouraged and GRIP will be selling popcorn and snow cones.
Who’s coming?: You! Community members, elected leaders, local celebrities, musicians, GRIP executives, staff, and board, community organization leaders, local businesses
This year’s t-shirt design (front) emphasizes what GRIP is — neighbors helping neighbors. The shirts will be an earthy orange, reminiscent of fall leaves, pumpkin, or maybe a spicy curry.
This year’s raffle prize packages again include Disneyland tickets, the brand new bike gift certificate from Pedlar’s, a fitness pack with gift certificates to Orange Theory, a year membership to the Oakland Museum of California, along with several restaurant gift certificates. While raffle tickets will cost $1, there is no admission cost this year.
“We wanted to make the event more accessible, and while we are still raising funds with our corporate and community donors, the goal is for the community to connect,” said Harmony Walk Chair and GRIP Board Member Jilly de la Torre. “We actually think we’ll have more attendees this way, and drive more awareness, as this is our most high profile event all year.”
Sponsors so far include Mechanics Bank, Chevron, Kaiser Permanente, Republic Services, Mark A. Porter & Ameriprise Financial, East Bay MUD, and Chase.
Corporate and community sponsorships are still available till closer to the event, with the opportunity to be on the signature t-shirt. Below are the levels and what is included. Reach out to chair Jilly de la Torre at jilliandlt@gmail.com, or info@gripcommunity.org.
Fun Run Sponsorship Benefits:
- Media coverage
- Exclusivity
- High visibility
- Great community relations
- Strong consumer audience
- Logo on t-shirts and flyers
- Partnership that reflects your organization’s value and vision
- Build brand loyalty
- Give back to the community (your employees and partners can run or walk in teams!)
It Takes a Village Sponsorship: $10,000
- Prominent company logo on all event material, including brochures, press releases, and event t-shirts
- Company logo on GRIP website
- Company logo on banner display
- Social media recognition
- Option to submit a 60-second video to be included in our comprehensive event video/slideshow
- Option to speak at event
- Public recognition on event day by MC
- Booth space/table and chairs
House the Family Sponsorship: $8,000
- Company logo on all event material, including brochures, press releases, and event t-shirts
- Social media recognition
- Option to submit a 30-second video to be included in our comprehensive event video/slideshow
- Public recognition on event day by MC
- Booth space/table and chairs
Feed the Kids Sponsorship: $5,000
- Company logo on all event t-shirts
- Social media recognition
- Option to submit a 30-second video to be included in our comprehensive event video/slideshow
- Public recognition on event day by MC
- Booth space/table and chairs
Sandwich and Soup Sponsorship: $3,000
- Company logo on all event t-shirts
- Social media recognition
- Public recognition on event day by MC
- Booth space/table and chairs
Lend a Hand Sponsorship: $1,000
- Company logo on all event t-shirts
- Social media recognition
- Booth space/table and chairs
Baseline Sponsorship: $500
- Company logo on all event t-shirts
- Social media recognition
Vendor Booths: $50 encouraged donation
- Booth space/table and chairs (this is only for for-profit tables/those selling items).
- Note: There’s no charge for any group that wants to table that is not selling items. There is also no charge for food vendors.
