CARRABASSETT — The 2015 Special Olympics Maine will send 490 athletes to Sugarloaf USA Sunday through Tuesday, Jan. 25-27, for the 46th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games.
Special Olympics Maine is in need of 100 scarves for the 2015 Scarf Project. The group’s goal is to offer a handmade scarf to every athlete in attendance at the Winter Games. Scarves can be made out of Red Heart yarn colors Carrot No. 256, Burgundy No. 376 or Paddy Greeny No. 368. The person knitting or crocheting the scarf may choose the pattern. The majority of athletes are teens and adults. Mail or deliver completed scarves to: Katheryn Wildes, Trinity Lutheran Church, 612 Main St., Westbrook ME 04092. For information, call 929-6237.
The Winter Games events will begin 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 to serve more than 800 people. The evening activities kick off with outdoor skating and hot chocolate, a sing-along and karaoke.
The competition will be underway bright and early Monday morning, and opening ceremonies featuring the parade of athletes, will begin at noon. That evening, athletes will be treated to a torchlight parade, fireworks and victory dance.
En route 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 events.
Special Olympics is a year-round athletic training and competition program for adults and children who have intellectual disabilities. In Maine, there are more than 3,800 athletes involved in the program. Special Olympics Maine offers more than 60 events annually at local and state levels.
The State Winter Games at Sugarloaf will host nearly 500 athletes from 68 teams. Competitions will run through Tuesday morning and will conclude with closing ceremonies at noon on Jan. 27.
For further information on Special Olympics Maine or the State Winter Games, call the state office at 879-0489 or email Lisa Bird at lisab@somaine.org.