FAQs

The Great Banquet is Kingdom Inclusion’s annual red carpet celebration where teens and adults with disabilities are honored as guests of honor.

Inspired by Jesus’ parable of the great banquet, this unforgettable night is filled with dinner, dancing, friendship, and joy. Guests are welcomed with dignity, celebrated for who they are, and invited into a night designed just for them.

Guests under the age of 21 are paired with a dedicated buddy who walks alongside them throughout the evening. Guests 21 and over have the option to be paired with a buddy or attend independently. This ensures every guest feels supported, safe, and free to fully enjoy the experience.

More than an event, The Great Banquet is a declaration of belonging — a visible reminder that everyone has a place at the table.

Registration for guests, volunteers and buddies for 2026 will be available starting in August. This is a total of four weeks. Once registration is full it will be closed for the 2026 event and we will not be able to accept any additional guests or volunteers.​

• A guest is someone 14 or older with special needs.  Guests walk the red carpet, enjoy a meal with a buddy, attend a talent show and then of course there's dancing involved!

• A buddy is a volunteer who is assigned to a specific guest.  Your role as a buddy is to help your guest navigate the events of the evening and ensure he/she is having a great time.  This is the perfect volunteer role for a parent or caregiver wanting to attend with a guest.  The care provider will simply register as a buddy volunteer and include the name of the guest he/she plans to attend with.

• A volunteer is anyone who is not a guest.  There are many volunteer roles that can be found on our website under the volunteer section.  While a buddy is considered a volunteer there is a separate registration for general volunteers vs the buddy volunteer.

For the safety of our guests, volunteers are randomly background-checked and screened through the sex offender database. All volunteers must register and provide ID to enter the event (minors do not need ID).

Can I attend with my child or friend if I didn’t register?

No. All guests and volunteers must be registered. Caregivers must register as Buddy Volunteers.

No. Parents or caregivers serving as Buddy Volunteers may arrive at the same time as their guest and are not required to attend Buddy training.

Buddy Volunteers must be 14 or older. Party Crowd volunteers must be 12 or older; volunteers under 12 must participate with a parent in the Party Crowd. All other volunteer roles require volunteers to be 18 or older. Security and Medical volunteers must be 21 or older and professionally trained.

Security volunteers must be trained and currently serving on a Crossroads security team. The Great Banquet follows Crossroads’ security protocol.

Medical volunteers must be CPR and First Aid certified. This team typically includes nurses, doctors, and EMT-certified individuals who can respond in an emergency.

After registering, you will receive an automatic confirmation email from Google Forms. Volunteer assignments will be emailed on Monday, September 22 via Constant Contact. General volunteer emails come from ann@kingdominclusion.com, and Buddy Volunteer emails come from buddy@kingdominclusion.com. Please check your spam or junk folder and add these addresses to your contacts.

Volunteer roles are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. If your first choice is full, you will be placed in your second or third choice. Late registrations may have limited options. The greatest needs are Party Crowd and Buddy Volunteers.

Check your spam or junk folder first. All event communication is sent via Constant Contact from support@kingdominclusion.com, ann@kingdominclusion.com, or buddy@kingdominclusion.com. If you have not received communication by September 22, please contact us.

Party Crowd volunteers cheer guests during the red carpet, dancing, and talent show. This role requires standing for extended periods, with breaks provided, and is a great option for families volunteering with younger children.

Yes. Please indicate this on your registration. Gluten-free guests will receive Applegate gluten-free nuggets, fruit from Chick-fil-A, and Lay’s classic potato chips.

No. Crossroads generously provides the facility, but The Great Banquet is hosted and funded by Kingdom Inclusion, a separate nonprofit supported by sponsors and donors.

Please notify us as soon as possible by emailing support@kingdominclusion.com so we can adjust volunteer roles and assignments.

The event is free for all guests and volunteers, thanks to our generous sponsors.

Guests are encouraged to dress in formal attire but should prioritize comfort. Buddy Volunteers and Party Crowd volunteers also wear formal attire. All other volunteers should wear black pants and a white shirt.

The venue is wheelchair accessible, and sensory-friendly spaces or assistance can be provided. Please note accommodation needs during registration or email support@kingdominclusion.com with questions.

Safety measures include volunteer background checks, trained medical staff onsite, and adherence to Crossroads’ security protocols with clear emergency procedures.

Yes. Professional photographers and videographers will capture the evening. A photo gallery will be available on our website within two weeks of the event.

Yes. Setup volunteer roles will be available when registration opens and are essential to the event’s success.

No. Childcare is not provided. Families typically make arrangements for younger children while parents or older siblings volunteer.

Lost items are kept in the lost and found at Crossroads East Side. Contact the venue directly or email support@kingdominclusion.com to coordinate retrieval.

The Great Banquet is similar in format but is not affiliated with the Tim Tebow Foundation.