Special Olympics marks 20 years at Big Mountain

Special Olympics Montana will return to Whitefish Mountain Resort this month for its 20th season of the State Winter Games.

The event will begin with a parade of the athletes down Central Avenue and opening ceremonies at Depot Park in downtown Whitefish on Sunday, Feb. 22, beginning at 4 p.m., including the ceremonial lighting of the Special Olympics Cauldron.

More than 350 well-trained Special Olympics Montana athletes and Unified Partners will head up the mountain Feb. 22-24 to compete in alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

Eight of the athletes will celebrate their 20th year of competition at Big Mountain — Denise Almanza, Geno Card and Jena Lawson, of Great Falls; Eric Stang and Hilary Benjamin, of Missoula; and Sara Maldonado, Kristin Twet and Jamey Herron, of Kalispell.

Special Olympics Montana will also be celebrating the life of a dedicated fan and friend, Peter Brucato Sr. aka the mayor of Big Mountain.

The Special Olympics Montana Youth Activation Committee, comprised of young people with and without intellectual disabilities from across the state, is organizing the parade. The event’s premier sponsor is BNSF Railway.

Volunteers are needed for the State Winter Games. Those interested can visit online at www.somt.org/volunteer or contact Karen Kimball at dryflyk@gmail.com or 406-250-8481. Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Wendy Rispens at WRispens@somt.org or 406-315-4202.