<\/p>\n
Just got one of my favorite annual emails letting us know one of our favorite annual events is just around the corner\u2014the Special Olympics Southern California Summer Games will be held at Long Beach State on June 12th and 13th\u2014I’ve written in the past that the biggest surprise to me about the games is what a fun spectator event it is. <\/span>Hopefully I’ll see you out there! <\/span>I’ll write a guide to enjoying the games next week, but for now here’s the full release from SOSC:<\/p>\n Special Olympics Southern California is hosting its biggest sports event of the year\u2014the 2010 Summer Games at California State University, Long Beach. The public is invited to join in the fun and cheer on the more than 1,100 athletes that will participate in six different competitions on June 12 and 13. Including athletes, coaches, volunteers, and spectators, the Summer Games is expected to attract more than 6,000 people over the course of the two-day event; admission is free. The 41st<\/sup> annual Summer Games begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the Opening Ceremony, emceed by KTLA sports anchor, Derrin Horton. The ceremony includes the traditional Parade of Athletes and lighting of the cauldron, using a torch that was part of a two-week Torch Run<\/a> relay organized by Southern California law enforcement agencies. Competitions will follow the ceremony starting at noon and ending at 5 p.m. and resume on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sports competitions include aquatics, athletics (track\/ field), basketball, bocce, golf and gymnastics. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be presented after competitions at each sports venue. More details are available at www.sosc.org<\/a>. \u201cWhile our athletes participate in sports year-round through Special Olympics, the Summer Games is our largest competition and one that our athletes and the public look forward to every year,\u201d said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. \u201cIf you\u2019ve never been to one of our events, bring your friends and family to see how Special Olympics changes the lives of everyone involved in our movement.\u201d New to this year\u2019s Summer Games is the Special Olympics Dream House Raffle on June 13 at 12:30 p.m., where 350 prizes and the grand-prize winner will be drawn. Net proceeds from the raffle will support programs for Special Olympics athletes. Everyone will also be treated to a free piece of Dream House Raffle cake, courtesy of The Vons Foundation, which is the Summer Games Title Sponsor.