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Big E to honor Special Olympics on Oct. 3 |
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WEST SPRINGFIELD -- The Big E will salute the people and work of Special Olympics Oct. 3 with a variety of special activities. Special Olympics has been a leader in providing healthy lifestyles through sports and healthcare-related programs year-round for individuals with intellectual disabilities for close to 40 years.
It all gets started at 10 a.m. with opening ceremonies at the Flag Plaza by gate five, featuring welcoming remarks from Eastern States Exposition President Wayne McCary, the National Anthem, the athletes and coaches oath and an outline of the day's activities.
The highlight of the ceremony will be a law enforcement torch run beginning at gate one, taking runners along Hampden Avenue and by the Brooks Building to light the Special Olympics caldron at the Flag Plaza.
Special Olympics events will take place throughout the day in Storrowton Village. There will be a unified bocce match with the Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA) national games team at 1 p.m. on the green. Special Olympics will also host a unified young athletes exhibition on the green at 3:30 p.m. which will be open for participation by up to 50 children, age two and a half to seven, at the fair that day.
A global messenger speech is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., in a day that will also feature local police and state troopers from Massachusetts, Maine and Connecticut. The entire Special Olympics contingent will then march in the daily parade at 5 p.m.
Fairgoers will be able to learn more about the success of this statewide organization and meet the 2010 Special Olympics Massachusetts national games team by visiting their location on the green, which will be manned by staff, athletes and parents from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Special Olympics helps athletes gain confidence and build a positive self image they can take into their daily lives at home, school, work and in the community. This is accomp-lished through year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of well-coached olympic-type sports for participants.
They also provide continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness. Through sports training and competition and the increased exposure to quality healthcare screenings and professionals, individuals with intellectual disabilities are living healthy, vibrant lives by their association with Special Olympics.
Join us for The Big E, Sept. 17 to Oct. 3 in West Springfield. For more information, visit TheBigE.com or call the info line at 205-5115.
About Special Olympics: Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for more than 1.4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries.
Serving more than 11,000 Massachusetts athletes as well as the woldwide participants, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people's diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities contin-uing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit SOMA online at http://www.special-olympicsma.org.
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