CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Special Olympics Maine will send nearly 500 athletes to Sugarloaf USA for the 45th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games on Sunday.

Events start with one of Maine’s largest community suppers. Residents of Carrabassett Valley and surrounding areas will host a supper for more than 800 people. Evening activities kick off with outdoor skating and hot chocolate, a singalong and karaoke.

The competition gets underway Monday morning and opening ceremonies featuring a parade of athletes begins at noon. That evening, athletes will be treated to a torchlight parade, fireworks and victory dance.

En route to Sugarloaf, Special Olympic teams will have the opportunity to take a break and stretch their legs at a rest stop courtesy of the Roderick-Crosby American Legion Post and Auxiliary No. 28 of Farmington. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided to the athletes.

During the three days of games, athletes will compete in Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, snowshoeing, speedskating and dual-skiing.

Special Olympics is a year-round athletic training and competition program for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. In Maine, there are more than 3,800 athletes in the program. The Winter Games at Sugarloaf will host nearly 500 athletes from approximately 65 teams.

Competitions will run through Tuesday morning, with closing ceremonies at noon Jan. 28.

For further information on Special Olympics Maine or the Winter Games, call the state office at 879-0489 or email Lisa Bird at lisab@somaine.org   

Starting Saturday, call the Summit Hotel at 1-800-THE LOAF and ask to be connected with Special Olympics.