Special Olympics Maine Winter Games schedule:

Monday, Feb. 1

• 8 a.m. Training and time trials

Nordic skiers, morning group, Outdoor Center

• 8:30 a.m.: Alpine one-on-one, East Wing, Base Lodge

Snowshoe Olympians, morning group, Snowshoe Venue, Carrabassett Valley Academy

• 9 a.m.: All ice skaters, Outdoor Center

• 10 a.m.: Dual-Ski Olympians, Mountain Side of Base Lodge

• Snowshoe Olympians, afternoon group, CVA

• Noon: Opening Ceremonies

• 1 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.: Training and time trials

• 1:30 p.m.: Finals, 10-meter ski walk

• 2:30 p.m.: Finals, all levels of giant slalom

• 3 p.m., Finals, 3K, Outdoor Center

• 3:15 p.m.: 400 meter snowshoe finals, CVA

• 3:30 p.m.: Finals, 3x1K relay, Outdoor Center

• 6 p.m.: Banquet of Champions, Base Lodge

• 7 p.m.: Torch light parade, fireworks

Tuesday, Feb. 2:

• 8 a.m.: Finals for — all Nordic events, Outdoor Center

All Alpine events, Sugarloaf

All snowshoe events, CVA

• 9 a.m.: All ice skating events, Outdoor Center

Dual-ski events, Sugarloaf

Noon: Closing ceremonies, Base Lodge

Come Sunday, hundreds of Special Olympic Maine athletes, volunteers and coaches will be heading to northern Franklin County to participate in the winter games.

The games give athletes who have intellectual and physical handicaps a chance to demonstrate their snowshoeing, skating and skiing abilities.

They also get a chance to uphold the Special Olympics athletes oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

The three-day event from Sunday, Jan. 31, to Tuesday, Feb. 2, requires behind-the-scenes work throughout the year.

Volunteers have raised funds and prepared for special events to benefit the athletes and the organization. Coaches have undergone training and athletes have practiced for the 41st annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games to be held at Sugarloaf/USA in Carrabassett Valley.

As in years past, the cow bells have been dusted off and are ready to ring to help cheer on the athletes.

There will be about 500 athletes from 80-plus communities from around the state participating, and just as many volunteers in attendance, organization spokeswoman Lisa Bird said Tuesday.

There are more than 150 coaches who have completed training and who will be on site to help athletes.

The winter and summer games and the other events that go on through the year wouldn’t happen if not for the generosity of time and donations from many people and businesses around the state, she said.

“We’re excited to get up there and do what we do best,” Bird said.

The events will begin on Sunday evening with one of Maine’s largest community suppers, she said. Residents of Carrabassett Valley and surrounding areas will host the athletes by bringing in casseroles and desserts and serving over 800 people. The evening activities kick off with outdoor skating and hot chocolate, a sing-a-long and karaoke.

Competition begins early Monday morning, with opening ceremonies scheduled for noon. It is there that a parade of athletes will walk into the courtyard with their team banners prominently displayed.

Prior to arriving at their destination on Sunday, Special Olympic athletes will be able to take a break at the American Legion Roderick-Crosby Post and Auxiliary No. 28 in Farmington.

Before that the Jay AMVETS Special Olympics Committee will hold its kick-off dinner and auction beginning with the meal from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 30, followed by an auction at the AMVETS Hall on Route 4 in Jay.

It is just one of many events held each year to support the athletes and games.

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