CARRABASSETT VALLEY — More than 400 athletes on 92 teams are ready to take on the Special Olympics Maine Winter Games and festivities.
Athletes, coaches and chaperons will take to the trails, ice rink and snow tracks from Sunday to Tuesday at Sugarloaf Mountain, Sugarloaf Outdoor Center and Carrabassett Valley Academy.
Volunteers, who have been raising money, cooking and setting up, will hold the annual community supper from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Base Lodge at Sugarloaf Village. Following supper, athletes and others will have a chance to participate in free skating and a sing-along from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Outdoor Center.
Time trials begin Monday. Alpine ski trials start at 8:30 a.m. with athletes reporting to the East Wing in the Base Lodge. Nordic skiers in the morning group will do their time trials at the Outdoor Center beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Snowshoers are scheduled to report to Carrabassett Valley Academy beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Those taking part in speed skating are expected to begin their trials at 8:30 a.m. at the Outdoor Lodge.
A Parade of Athletes will begin at 11:45 a.m., followed by opening ceremonies from noon to 12:30 p.m. at Village West.
Afternoon time trials for athletes begin at 1 p.m.
Special events Monday will include snowmobile rides for athletes from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Snubber Chairlift area at Snowbrook Village. Snow Cat rides will be held at the same time under the gondola lift. Both rides will repeat from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
Wagon rides will be offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in front of the Base Lodge.
The Torchlight Parade will begin at 7 p.m. in front of the Base Lodge, followed by a fireworks display at 7:10 p.m.
Athletes can then go to the Victory Dance or a movie, depending on their choice. Both will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The dance will be at Base Lodge East Wing and the movie will be shown in the Carrabassett Room in the hotel on the second floor.
Finals will be held Tuesday beginning at 8 a.m. Closing ceremonies will take place at noon at the Base Lodge.
dperry@sunjournal.com
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