Special Olympics New York State Winter Games
February 19th-20th – Hudson Valley Region
More than 900 athletes and coaches from across the state will participate!
All events free and open to the public
The Special Olympics New York State Winter Games will take place February 19-20, 2016 in various venues throughout the Hudson Valley. More than 900 Athletes and Coaches will be on hand from across the state to compete in the State Winter Games which is one of two annual state level competitions and nearly 5,000 regional competitions held each year throughout New York. Athletes have trained for at least eight weeks in their hometowns and competed locally and regionally for qualify to participation at this level. All events are free and open to the public.
The platinum sponsor of the 2016 Winter Games is the Westchester Medical Health Network. The gold level partners are Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Turk Hospitality Group, Poughkeepsie Journal, Chobani Foundation, and Arnoff Moving & Storage.
County Executive Marcus Molinaro is the Honorary Chair of the 2016 State Winter Games. The Games Organizing Committee (GOC) is organizing the various aspects of the event, securing local community support and sponsorship, and working to provide a unique Hudson Valley feel to the Games. The Co-Chairs of the 2016 State Winter Games GOC are Mary Kay Vrba, president and CEO of Dutchess Tourism Inc., and Frank M. Castella Jr., president and CEO of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
When/Where:
Opening Ceremonies:
Friday, February 19th, 8pm
Mid-Hudson Civic Center
Opening Ceremonies will feature the customary parade of athletes, local entertainment and speakers . The Opening Ceremonies will be emceed by Christopher Meindl. Speakers will include County Executive Marc Molinaro, Congressman Sean Maloney, Senator Sue Serino, Assembywoman Didi Barrett, Mayor Rob Rolison, and motivational speaker Keryl Pesce. Also on hand will be the Marist College Dance Team and the presentation of the Coach of the Year Award. Town of Poughkeepsie Officer Chris Hamel will be joined by Special Olympic Athlete Annie Hertel and fellow members of the Law Enforcement community as they carry the Flame of Hope into Opening Ceremonies to light the official cauldron and declare the 2016 State Winter Games open.
Athletic Competition, Saturday, February 20th, 8:30am-5:00pm
10:00am – 3:30pm
Alpine Skiing
Holiday Mountain Ski Area, 99 Holiday Mountain Road in Monticello
9:30am – 1:00pm
Cross Country Skiing
Holiday Mountain Ski Area, 99 Holiday Mountain Road in Monticello
9:45am – 3:30pm
Snowshoeing
Holiday Mountain Ski Area, 99 Holiday Mountain Road in Monticello
9:30am – 3:00pm
Figure Skating
McCann Ice Arena (Mid-Hudson Civic Center), 14 Civic Center Plaza in the City of Poughkeepsie
8:30am – 4:00pm
Floor Hockey Team
Stewart Air National Guard Base, 1 Maguire Way in Newburgh
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing were originally scheduled to take place at Bowdoin Park however, due to the lack of snow and warm temperatures, both events have been moved to Holiday Mountain.
“Bowdoin Park is a fantastic facility so it is disappointing that weather conditions will not allow for us to compete there. We’re confident that the move to Holiday Mountain will still give these athletes a great opportunity to compete and demonstrate their incredible skills and abilities, “ said Neal Johnson, President & CEO of Special Olympics New York.
All event and volunteer information is available at www.specialolympicsnewyork.org
Thank you for the generous support of our partners who help to make the 2016 State Winter Games possible:
Platinum Sponsor – Westchester Medical Center Health Network
Gold Sponsors – Central Hudson Gas & Electric, Turk Hospitality, Arnoff Moving & Storage, Chobani Foundation, and the Poughkeepsie Journal
Silver Sponsors – Access: Supports for Living, The arc of Dutchess, KeyBank, Poughkeepsie Galleria, Riverside Bank (a Div. of Salisbury Bank & Trust Co.), Rose & Kieran, Inc., and Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond
Bronze Sponsors – Abilities First, Inc., Adams Fairacre Farms, Anderson Center for Autism, Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley, Greystone Programs, M&T Bank, Marshall & Sterling Insurance, New Horizons Resources, Dutchess County Government, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Dutchess Tourism, Inc., 2005 Empire State Games Local Organizing Committee and FastSigns
Media Sponsors – iHeartRadio, HVNN, Pamal Broadcasting, and J6 Media Works
Statewide Partners – Walmart, CSEA, Knights of Columbus, NYSUT, Dunkin’ Donuts, Cannon, TD Bank, Amtrak, and Hunton & Williams
Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and competition in 22 Olympic-style sports to children and adults with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the athletes, their families or caregivers. Over 65,000 athletes train and compete with Special Olympics New York, the largest Special Olympics program in North America.
