Cape Girardeau will welcome about 700 Special Olympics athletes and coaches for the State Outdoor Championships with an opening ceremony tonight at the Arena Park grandstand.

"We really want to roll out the red carpet and show them a good time," said Penny Williams, a member of the local Special Olympic Games Management Team and recreation division manager for Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation.

The opening ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public, as are all Special Olympics competitions throughout the weekend.

The parade of athletes, led by the Central High School marching band, will be a highlight of the opening ceremony, said Mandi Mueller, public relations coordinator with Special Olympics Missouri.

The Wall of Well Wishes, a collection of banners placed at sponsor businesses earlier this week for the public to sign, will serve as the backdrop on stage.

"That's the first time we've ever had anything like that," Mueller said. "It's really a fun way to get the community involved and show the athletes how excited everyone is."

Faune Riggin of KZIM will be the host during Friday's ceremony, the Knights of Columbus will provide an honor guard, and Mayor Harry Rediger will give a welcome to athletes. Scott Givens will give a comedic performance.

All the nearly 300 volunteer positions needed to carry out the weekend's events have been filled, but people can still do something to support the athletes during this weekend's games, Williams said.

"You can be a fan in the stands," she said. "It's important to those athletes that we have people here cheering for them."

Thursday was a day of preparations for volunteers setting up for the events held at a variety of locations around town, including the Shawnee Park Sports Complex, Southeast Missouri State University Tennis Complex and Student Recreation Center, Jaycee Golf Course and Osage Community Centre.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.somo.org/outdoor.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO