DALTON, Ga., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 1,500 athletes from around the state will compete in various sports at the State Fall Games, presented by The Rotary Club of Carpet City, in Dalton Oct. 21-23. This is the first of three years Fall Games will be in the city.
The Games will feature:
- Long Distance Running/Walking
- Cycling
- Golf
- Softball
- Bocce
The games will begin with the Opening Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at Dalton Trade Center. All events and ceremonies are free to the public, so bring the whole family and "Be a Fan." A delegation from St. Lucia in the Caribbean is traveling to Dalton to compete as well as being one of the Grand Marshals at the Opening Ceremony. We welcome our sister Special Olympics delegation.
Country singer and songwriter Sarah Marince is also the games' grand marshal and will lead a parade of athletes. She has opened for Taylor Swift, Sara Evans, Reba McIntire, John Rich, Kellie Pickler, Kenny Rogers, and Pete Townshend. Marince recently campaigned to "Spread the Word to End the Word," and posted an ad on her Web site to encourage her fans to not use the R-word.
Competition will be Friday, Saturday and Sunday with medals being awarded throughout the weekend. Venues will be located at Heritage Point Park, Knob North Golf Club and the downtown Dalton Square. A schedule is available at www.SpecialOlympicsGA.org. Olympic Town, the center of celebration of Fall Games, will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at Heritage Point Park. Olympic Town goers will enjoy arts and crafts, and music.
Official Fall Games sponsors are Shaw Industries Group, Textile Rubber and Chemical Company, Cycle Tex, Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia, Controlled Products, Wells Fargo, Marketing Alliance Group, ALROL of America, The Daily Citizen, Mix 104.5, QT, SYSCO, Idealease, RR Donnelley, and Knights of Columbus and Dalton Parks and Recreation.
The Mission of Special Olympics Georgia
To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community. For more information on Special Olympics Georgia, visit www.specialolympicsga.org
SOURCE Special Olympics Georgia
