The 2017 Outdoor Sports Festival will take place at Rotary Park and Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur on Saturday and Sunday, September 9th and 10th. This event is one of 9 state sports competitions. It is the final competition for those participating in Softball and Golf. Young Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in both softball skills and golf skills. Over 650 athletes and 20 Unified partners compete over this weekend and bring the joy of sport to Decatur.
Special Olympics Illinois needs your help as a volunteer for our Outdoor Sports Festival in Decatur. Volunteers are still needed at both the golf and softball venues on Saturday and Sunday and you can register online at www.soill.org.
Softball teams will come together from throughout the state for their final games at Outdoor Sports Festival. In order to advance to the Outdoor Sports Festival teams must win gold at their District Competition. Individual Skills Competition will also be offered where individuals will demonstrate their skills in base running, throwing, fielding and hitting. Athletes may compete in Individual skills competition or team competition.
Additionally, this event serves as the final tournament for golfers as they demonstrate the skills they have developed. Athletes may compete in Individual Skills Competition, 3-Hole Competition, 6-Hole Competition or 9-Hole Competition, or in Unified Golf – where pairs with and without intellectual disabilities compete together.
Individual Skills athletes will be showing off their Golf skills in short & long putt, chip shot, pitch shot and iron & wood shot.
Tentative Competition Times
Softball
- Saturday, 10am – 4pm
- Sunday, 8am-4pm
Golf
- Saturday, 9am-3pm
- Sunday, 9am-2pm
Young Athletes aged 6 and 7 will be invited to participate and showcase their talent in Decatur. Young Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in Softball Individual Skills and for the first time Golf Individual Skills.
The Opening Ceremony is always one of the highlights of any Special Olympics Games and the tradition holds steady at the Outdoor Sports Festival. The Opening Ceremony will be held in Central Park in downtown Decatur. There will be entertainment followed by the grand entrance of the Torch Run and lighting of the cauldron. After the Opening Ceremony, athletes and coaches will parade in a stately march to the Decatur Civic Center where dinner will be served.
Teams will be able to drop off athletes at Central Park then park at the Civic Center. Drop off begins at 5:45pm and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:15pm.
Families are also invited to attend a reception from 7-9pm sponsored by the Family Action Network. The reception will be held at Decatur Club. Families can enjoy some good times together while the teams eat dinner and enjoy the Victory Dance. The dance will take place at the Decatur Civic Center after dinner on Saturday, September 9 from 8-9 pm.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 17 sports for more than 22,500 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support. If you are interested in learning more about Special Olympics Illinois, volunteering or providing financial support to help make Special Olympics programs possible, contact your local Special Olympics agency, call 800-394-0562 or visit our website at www.soill.org.
In the case of inclement weather, schedule changes, or cancellations please check www.soill.org. You can also call 309-888-2000 Ext. 245
