CARRABASSETT VALLEY —  By 5 p.m. Sunday, dozens of Special Olympics athletes, coaches and volunteers were gathered in Sugarloaf’s base lodge patiently for the potluck supper to begin.

Delicious smells wafted from the kitchen into the lobby and hallways, making the hour wait even harder for hungry crowd. Before the evening was over, nearly 700 people would enjoy the dinner of homemade casseroles, crisp salads and tempting desserts.

In the kitchen, perennial volunteers Bonnie Holding and sisters Candy and Yvonne Woodcock and their helpers began to put the casseroles in the oven to reheat. Students from area schools folded napkins, set tables and put chairs around the dozens of tables.

“We have one oven that’s not working,” someone announced to the kitchen crew.

Nonplussed, the crew kept working, quickly adjusting their reheating plan.

“We’ve been doing this forever,” Candy Woodcock laughed. “You just go with flow, and it all works out.”

Everyone will be served in half an hour, Holding said, and another crew of volunteers will arrive to clean up and ready the dining room for Monday morning breakfast. Volunteers will make about 800 lunches, including soup, and more will arrive to start preparations for the Monday night banquet.

In the main dining room, Fred Lewis, a retired Maine state game warden, greeted the athletes and coaches as they waited in line for the 6 p.m. seating. Many reached for his hand and patted him on the arm, calling him by name. He’s a familiar face for those who attend the annual event. How many years, exactly?

“I guess I’m not sure, but I think I’ve been coming here at least 15 years, and probably more like 20,” he said.

Lewis said he and Blaine Holding, another retired game warden, had volunteered to help the fledgling Special Olympics competitions, and they took personal time without pay, he said.

“So more wardens wanted to start coming to Special Olympics with us, and then the bosses caught on that this was a pretty big deal,” he said. “We have 15 or so who come every year, and some this year are here for the first time. It’s something the Warden Service really supports.”

Volunteers take pride in the number of years they have served, and many are bringing children and grandchildren with them. The Five County Credit Union team from Augusta, dozens of students and retired telephone company Pioneers help get the athletes to their destinations, answer the phones and the dozens of questions for two nonstop days. The Sugarloaf Hotel donates rooms, and businesses help with everything from supplies to gear.

The Special Olympics started in Gorham when a handful of athletes, coaches and families participated in the world’s first Winter Special Olympics. They didn’t have chairlifts, and they had tailgate picnics and went home at the end of the day, according to 82-year-old Mickey Boutilier, who started the first event.

This year, the athletes have a packed schedule of skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and speed-skating events through Tuesday morning. Evening events include skating, karaoke, fireworks, a victory celebration and a torchlight parade.