York County Special Olympics Spring Games set for May 1

YORK COUNTY -  Nearly 350 Special Olympians are expected to attend the York County Spring Games on May 1 at Shapleigh Field in Kittery.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 9:15 a.m. and events will begin immediately thereafter and continue through 2 p.m.

Special Olympics athletes from all over York County attend the annual event, which is a qualifying event for the Maine State Summer Games, held each June in Orono.

Athletes participate in track and field events, and there is a division for athletes using wheelchairs and other assistive devices as well.

Sponsors of the event include the Knights of Columbus and York Hospital.

Nearly all of the event officials are student athletes from Traip Academy in Kittery.

Logistical support is provided by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Many law enforcement agencies send representatives who assist in award presentations.

The events are open to the public and spectators are welcome. Shapleigh Field is adjacent to Shapleigh Middle School, located at 43 Stevenson Road in Kittery.