Annual Minnesota event celebrates adoption while highlighting the need for more adoptive parents​​

Minnesota families who adopted children from foster care in the past year and those considering adopting foster children will have a chance to celebrate and learn more at an upcoming free event.

The 27th annual “Celebrate Adoption: Circus of the Heart” event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Attractions in the fair’s North End Events Center will include arcade games, crafts, prizes, music, mascots, clay art, henna art, face painting, outdoor activities and photo opportunities. Parking is free.

Adoption experts will also be available to answer questions about adoption from foster care.

Assistant Commissioner Rebecca St. George will give the welcome address at the event, which is sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Foster Adopt Minnesota and other partners.

“Every child deserves a permanent family and the chance to thrive in a nurturing and stable home,” said Commissioner Tikki Brown. “Adoption is a lifeline for children who have faced the hardships of family separation. While we must recognize the challenges and trauma that come with these experiences, we also celebrate the strength of new families.”

Families adopted 810 Minnesota children from foster care in 2023. Of the 490 foster children still waiting for permanent families in Minnesota:

• 54% are 12 to 18 years old, 23% are 6 to 11 and 23% are under 6

• 45% are siblings who need to be adopted together

• 38% are white, 21% are black/African American, 31% are two or more races, 7% are American Indian, 2% are Asian/Pacific Islander, and the race of 2% is unknown or not provided

• 68% have special needs, including physical, mental, emotional or behavioral disabilities.