Outdoor Sports Festival

Posted on by Bridget LeMaire

Softball at Outdoor Sports Festival has been cancelled due to rain and unplayable field conditions. Golf is currently still running.

WHEN: September 7, 2019-September 8 2019
WHERE: Rotary Park & Hickory Point Golf Course Decatur, IL, USA
CONTACT: Nate Henry 309-888-2574 EMAIL

 

What is Outdoor Sports Festival?

Outdoor Sports Festival is one of 9 state sports competitions. It is the final competition for those participating in Softball and Golf. Young Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in both softball skills and golf skills. Over 600 athletes compete over this weekend and bring the joy of sport to Decatur.

Location

SITE: Rotary Park & Hickory Point Golf Course, Decatur, IL

  • Softball –  Rotary Park
  • Golf – Hickory Point Golf Course
  • Young Athletes – Rotary Park / Hickory Point Golf Course

Volunteer Opportunities

Special Olympics Illinois needs your help as a volunteer for our Outdoor Sports Festival in Decatur. We are looking for volunteers to help at the Golf and Softball venues on Saturday and Sunday. If you are interested in volunteering click on one of the links below for the date and venue you want to register for and you can sign up online. If you want to register for more then one shift, then once you are logged into our system you can pick the next date and venue from the drop down menu.

Volunteer Saturday - Golf    Volunteer Saturday - Softball

Volunteer Sunday - Golf           Volunteer Sunday - Softball

Competition

Softball & Softball Skills

Softball teams come together from throughout the state for their final games at the Outdoor Sports Festival. All the teams have worked hard to get here, competing in numerous games throughout the year. In order to advance to the Outdoor Sports Festival teams must win gold at their District Competition. Come on out and cheer them on to victory!

Individual Skills competition will also be offered where individuals will demonstrate their skills in base running, throwing, fielding and hitting. They will be competing against others within divisions for the best scores.

Athletes may compete in Individual Skills competition or Team competition, not both.

Golf

Swing into the game with golf at the Outdoor Sports Festival. This represents the final tournament for our golfers as they show off their love of the game and demonstrate the skills they have developed. Athletes may compete in Individual Skills Competition, 3-Hole Competition, 6-Hole Competition or 9-Hole Competition. Athletes may choose 1 event. Athletes/Partners competing in Unified Golf may only compete in Unified Competition.

OSF Golf 1Competitors are expected to walk during the competition. Request for use of a power cart must be made to the Director of Sports and Competition at the time of the entry deadline. Requests will be handled on an individual basis and proof of medical need will be required from a doctor. Unapproved cart usage will result in disqualification.

Individual Skills athletes will be showing off their Golf skills in short & long putt, chip shot, pitch shot and iron & wood shot. They will be competing against others within divisions for the best scores.

Tentative Competition Times

All times listed below are tentative and subject to change once event specific schedules are determined. Times only reflect actual competition times and do not include time frames for coach meetings, weigh-in times, etc. For a final schedule please check the Supporting Documents section close to competition day.

Softball

  • Saturday, 10am – 5:30pm
  • Sunday, 8am – 3:30pm

Golf

  • Saturday, 9am-4pm
  • Sunday, 9am-12pm

Golf Live Scoring Links

Young Athletes

Young Athletes aged 6 and 7 will be invited to participate and showcase their talent in Decatur!  Young Athletes will have the opportunity to participate in Softball Individual Skills and for the first time Golf Individual Skills.

Opening Ceremony

OSF OC 2The Opening Ceremony is always one of the highlights of any Special Olympics Games and the tradition holds steady at the Outdoor Sports Festival. The Opening Ceremony will be held in Central Park in downtown Decatur. There will be entertainment followed by the grand entrance of the Torch Run and lighting of the cauldron. After the Opening Ceremony, athletes and coaches will parade in a stately march  to the Decatur Civic Center where dinner will be served.

Teams will be able to drop off athletes at Central Park then park at the Civic Center. Drop off begins at 5:45pm and the Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:15pm.

Souvenirs

Souvenir information coming soon!

Families

Stop by the family registration area at either of the competition venues to receive you event packet and a raffle ticket for the FREE Raffle. Don’t forget to wear your credentials.  Hours are as follows:OSF Awards

Softball

  • 8:30am – 4:00pm      Saturday
  • 8:00am – 11:00am     Sunday

Golf   

  • 8:30am – 2:00pm      Saturday

 

Victory Dance

Let’s dance! The dance will take place at the Decatur Civic Center after dinner on Saturday, September 7 from 8-9 pm. There will be a DJ to play music and plenty of room to dance or sit as needed. Souvenir items can also be purchased at the dance, so make sure to stop by and pick up your OSF memorabilia before it’s gone!

Weather

In case of inclement weather, schedule changes or cancellations check the website here for updates. You can also subscribe to our text alert system by texting “Outdoor” to 77453.

 

Supporting Documents