LONG BEACH, Calif. (Nov. 6, 2017) — It is officially Fall Games week for Special Olympics Southern California. The Games will take place on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 11-12 in Fountain Valley. Soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball competitions will take place both days at the Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park while bowling will take place on Sunday at Fountain Bowl.
While the competitions and resulting medal ceremonies are the highlight of the games, there is so much more. Here is the schedule for this year\’s Games:
SATURDAY, NOV. 11, 2017
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Rafer\’s Boutique | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Fan Zone | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Opening Ceremony | Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) |
| 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Festival | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Healthy Athletes Village | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| Fit Feet Discipline | Fountain Valley Recreation Center Patio | |
| FUNFitness Discipline | Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) | |
| Health Promotion Discipline | Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) | |
| Healthy Hearing Discipline (closes at 3:30 p.m.) | Fountain Valley Recreation Center – Sunridge Room | |
| Special Smiles Discipline | Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) | |
| 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Family Pavilion | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Young Athletes | Family Pavilion (Fountain Valley Sports Park) |
| 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Soccer Competition | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Soccer Fields |
| Softball Competition | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Softball Fields | |
| Tennis Competition | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Tennis Courts | |
| Volleyball Competition | Fountain Valley Recreation Center | |
| 12:10 p.m. to 12:40 p.m. | Young Athletes Rising Stars – Soccer | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Soccer Fields |
SUNDAY, NOV. 12, 2017
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Rafer\’s Boutique | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Healthy Athletes Village | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| Fit Feet Discipline | Fountain Valley Recreation Center – Patio | |
| FUNFitness Discipline | Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) | |
| Health Promotion Discipline | Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) | |
| Healthy Hearing Discipline | Fountain Valley Recreation Center – Sunridge Room | |
| Special Smiles Discipline | Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) | |
| 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Fan Zone | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| 8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. | Bowling Opening Ceremony | Fountain Bowl |
| 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Young Athletes Rising Stars – Softball | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Softball Fields |
| 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | The Festival | Fountain Valley Sports Park |
| 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Family Pavilion | The Festival (Fountain Valley Sports Park) |
| 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. | Soccer Competition | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Soccer Fields |
| Softball Competition | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Softball Fields | |
| Tennis Competition | Fountain Valley Sports Park – Tennis Courts | |
| Volleyball Competition | Fountain Valley Recreation Center | |
| 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Bowling Competition | Fountain Bowl |
| 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Young Athletes Festival | Family Pavilion (Fountain Valley Sports Park) |
What is all this? Well, here is a quick guide:
Fan Experience
We have many spectator/volunteer opportunities during Fall Games and need your help to fill the stands to make to this event successful for the 900 athletes that will compete. Fans in the Stands gives individuals and groups the opportunity to cheer on the athletes as valued spectators. Your enthusiasm, team spirit and cheering ability will encourage the athletes to do their best. Plus, you’ll witness the courage, determination and joy of our athletes as they compete. Fans of all ages are welcome and cheer gear such as signs are encouraged. Individuals and groups who plan to attend as Fans in the Stands are able to sign up online. There will be a Fan Experience tent at Fall Games where Fans in the Stands will be able to check in. Please CLICK HERE to RSVP your group to be a Fan in the Stands! Also, consider signing up for the Fan Experience Tour where you can be taken on a 1-hour tour of the Games and meet SOSC athletes, staff and board members. See you at the Games!
Family Pavilion
Families of Special Olympics athletes are invited to join us at the Family Pavilion located in the Festival at Fall Games. There are refreshments, raffles, a photo booth, and poster-making to support and cheer on our amazing athletes! For more information on the Family Pavilion, contact Chris Johnson at cjohnson@sosc.org or 562.502.1073.
Festival
Attendees can stop by to check out the entertainment, sponsor booths, games, arts and crafts, music, and much more. Families of athletes are also welcomed to stop by the Family Pavilion.
Healthy Athletes
Special Olympics athletes at Fall Games receive free health screenings for Fit Feet, FUNFitness, Healthy Hearing, Health Promotion, and Special Smiles. There will be various healthy giveaways in the Healthy Athletes area at the Games. We hope to see you there!
Opening Ceremonies
Kick off Fall Games by attending a free Opening Ceremony, which features the Parade of Athletes, live performances, and the lighting of the official cauldron to signify the beginning of the Games.
Rafer\’s Boutique
Attendees shop for souvenirs and merchandise at the official store for Special Olympics Southern California and Fall Games. Everything from T-shirts to hats to lapel pins and tote bags will be available.
Young Athletes Festival
Children with or without intellectual disabilities, ages 2 to 7, are introduced to sports and showcase skills they have learned in school or community program during the Young Athletes Festival at Fall Games. Special Olympics Southern California conducts skills demonstrations in several disciplines including: walking and running, balancing and jumping, trapping and catching, and throwing.
Young Athletes Rising Stars
At the Rising Stars Experience, young athletes have the opportunity to apply their talents in a sport-specific event. Spectators and families are welcome to watch young athletes compete and cheer them on at Fall Games! Current young athletes who would like to participate in the Fall Games Young Athletes Festival, please register by CLICKING HERE.
For a full map of Fall Games, CLICK HERE.
