CARRABASSETT VALLEY – In 1969, Special Olympics Maine held the world’s very first Special Olympics Winter Games in Gorham. Tomorrow, Special Olympics Maine will send nearly 500 athletes to Sugarloaf USA for the 45th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games.
The events will begin on Sunday evening with one of Maine’s largest community suppers. Citizens of Carrabassett and surrounding areas will play host to the athletes by bringing in casseroles and desserts and serving over 800 people. The evening activities kick off with outdoor skating and hot chocolate, a sing-a-long and karaoke.
The competition will be underway bright and early on Monday morning, and Opening Ceremonies featuring our parade of athletes, will begin at Noon sharp. That evening athletes will be treated to a torchlight parade, fireworks and victory dance.
Enroute to Sugarloaf, Special Olympic teams will have the opportunity to take a break and stretch their legs at a rest stop courtesy of the Roderick-Crosby Post and Auxiliary #28 of Farmington. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided to the athletes.
During the three day event athletes will compete in Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, Snowshoe, Speed Skating, and Dual Ski.
Special Olympics is a year round athletic training and competition program for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. In Maine there are over 3800 athletes involved in the program. The State Winter Games at Sugarloaf will host nearly 500 athletes from approximately 65 teams.
Competitions will run through Tuesday morning and will conclude with Closing Ceremonies at Noon on January 28th.
For further information on Special Olympics Maine or the State Winter Games please call our state office at 879-0489 or email Lisa Bird at lisab@somaine.org.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPIANS!
A great group of people went from Work First and they all come back winners. Go WFI Team
I think this is absolutely awesome that they get to attend these events!! Thanks to everyone that helped make this happen…….
go team work first you all was winners before you went up to the loaf and your going to come back bigger winners again CONGRATS TO ALL COMPETING IN ALL EVENTS