The Special Olympics Summer Games at West Virginia University will get off to an explosive start Friday (June 8) with a musical fireworks display at 8 p.m. at Mountaineer Field. University officials are encouraging the community to attend the festive opening ceremony to welcome and offer encouragement to the special needs athletes.

The ceremony will begin with a parade of athletes from each West Virginia county participating in the games. Each delegation will be led by a special VIP guest. An Olympic torch will then be lit, and WVU first lady Susan Hardesty will proclaim the games open.

Popular Mountaineer play-by-play announcer Tony Caridi will be the master of ceremonies, and local entertainer Bobby Nicholas will provide musical selections.

Several WVU coaches and student-athletes will speak, along with WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. Athletesfamilies will receive special gifts as they arrive at the stadium. Games will take place at the WVU Track, natatorium and nearby venues all day Saturday and part of Sunday.

Closing ceremonies take place at 11:45 a.m. Sunday at the WVU Track. Athletes will form a friendship circle and bid each other goodbye as the Olympic flame is extinguished.

This is the fourth straight year WVU has hosted the Summer Games. This years theme is”Theres No Stopping Us Now.”

For more information on the events, call Deborah Fusco, 304-293-8685.