Special Olympics Washington Opening Ceremony

Local Shriners, police officers, Hawkeye, the Skyhawk’s mascot, Wally, the Wild’s mascot, and the rest of the Wild hockey team cheered the athletes on. The Wenatchee Applarians were bannerman or sign-holders in their deep red sportscoats for each group as they paraded through the space.

Some groups wore costumes, Santa beards, cowboy hats, and the like, but none brought more energy than the athletes themselves, often pausing and dancing to orchestrate the crowd.

Things settled down after the last group was seated, and the Knights of Columbus presented our national flag with the full voices of Wenatchee High School’s Hy Tones quartet filling the room.

The athletes represent a wide swath of age groups and ability levels, and that includes the volunteers and supporters of this weekend's event.

Wenatchee and East Wenatchee Mayors Frank Kuntz and Jerrilea Crawford, respectively, both spent time thanking the many volunteers, and supporters that made the event possible thanked the athletes, and welcomed them all to the region.

David Wu, the Special Olympics Washington President and CEO, was grateful to have the games back after three years, emphasizing that the events would be bigger, better, and across the state.

“We are so excited to be back here in the great city of Wenatchee,” Wu said. “We are launching a Beyond Gold campaign, that is asking all communities to go beyond gold for our athletes as a way to inspire everyone to be a part of the inclusion movement in Washington State.”

While this was going on, a torch was lit. It had made its way from Pangborn Memorial Airport, ran across the bridge with the help of local law enforcement, and to the Town Toyota Center, where local torch-bearers Grace Van Well and officer Seth Buhler carried in the torch for the lighting of the cauldron.

After introducing Ray Roberts, a Seattle Seahawk legend who has also helped with the unified champions school initiative, as Grand Marshall, the Music Theatre of Wenatchee performed an eight-minute sampling of Shrek the Musical.

And after the volunteer, official, and athlete oaths were taken with Roberts, the event concluded and the games were officially open.

The games will be held throughout the valley over the weekend.

The event was a little shy on volunteers. They hired law enforcement officers to help run events to bridge the gap.

“That's one of our biggest challenges now,” Wu said. “Rebuilding our volunteers after the pandemic.”

The three-year hiatus didn’t hamper athlete turnout.

Caryl Andre, the Recreation Supervisor for Wenatchee Parks and Recreation, believes there could be as many as 1850 athletes, coaches, and chaperones across the region.

Jaymelina Esmele, the Vice President of Special Olympics Washington, said there was about a 10% increase in participation since their last event in 2020.

Athletes will compete in basketball, cheerleading, figure and speed skating, snowboarding, and alpine and cross-country skiing.

Those interested in volunteering can visit the Special Olympics Washington website at specialolympicswashington.org to register online. They also accept walk-in volunteers.