2019 Fall Games

Posted on by Bridget LeMaire

What is Fall Games?

Fall Games is one of 9 state sports competitions. It is the culminating competition for those winning a gold medal at a local event in Volleyball and those participating in Equestrian. More than 700 athletes compete over this weekend and bring the joy of sport to Rockford!

Volleyball 2Location

SITE: Rockford, Illinois

  • Equestrian – BraveHearts at the Bergmann Centre, Poplar Grove
  • Volleyball – Harlem High School, Machesney Park

Volunteer

We are looking for volunteers to help at the Volleyball venue on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday and Sunday. If you are interested in volunteering click on one of the links below for the date 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 Friday - Volleyball Set Up               Volunteer Saturday - Volleyball               Volunteer Sunday - Volleyball

 

Competition

Equestrian

Do you love horses? Then Equestrian is the sport for you. The Equestrian competition will be conducted at BraEquestrian 1veHearts at the Bergmann Centre in Poplar Grove. Athletes registered to compete in Dressage, English Equitation or Showmanship will compete on Saturday.  Stock Seat Equitation will compete on Saturday or Sunday. Those athletes registered for Working Trails will compete on Sunday. Equestrian patterns will be sent out at least 2 weeks before the competition

Volleyball

Volleyball is a fantastic sport to both watch and play. Special Olympics Illinois team competition brings the best teams in the state together in an exciting event.  Competition is offered for both traditional and Unified teams. Unified teams will participate in screening games prior to final divisions being determined. Games will start as scheduled and IHSA rules will govern all tournament play. Athletes competing in volleyball team competition will be required to wear appropriate attire. No jeans or jean shorts will be allowed.

Athletes may also compete in Volleyball skills. Skills competition will be on Saturday, at Harlem High School. Competition will begin at 9am on Saturday and awards will be presented after all skills competitions are completed. Athletes competing in skills will be required to wear appropriate attire. No jeans or jean shorts will be allowed for any athlete in skills competition.

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.

Volleyball

  • Saturday, 9am-4pm
  • Sunday, 8am-3pm

Equestrian

  • Saturday, 8am-4pm
  • Sunday, 8am-4pm

Families

Families are always encouraged to attend Special Olympics Illinois events to watch their athletes compete. Families Registration/Hospitality is open for all families and family members attending the Fall Games competition. Families should stop by Families Registration at both the Volleyball and Equestrian venues to pick up an event packet, giveaway and free tickets for the family raffle. Local refreshments and donuts will also be available as well as visitors’ information for the Rockford area. Concessions will be available at Harlem High School for families to purchase snack and lunch items.

The hospitality areas will be open at the following times:

Saturday

  • OC 1Equestrian –  7:30am – 1:30pm
  • Volleyball –  8:00am – 3:00pm

Sunday

  • Equestrian – 7:30am – 11:00am
  • Volleyball – 7:30am – 11:00am

Families are also invited to attend the Family Dessert Reception immediately following Opening Ceremony from 7pm – 8:30pm at Harlem High School. We hope you will join us for some delicious desserts, snacks and fun while the athletes are enjoying the dance.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will start at 6:30pm on Saturday in the Harlem High School main gymnasium. Areas will be assigned seating in the main gymnasium. Agencies may begin seating for Opening Ceremony at 6pm as there is no parade of athletes at this event.

Dance 2Victory Dance

Everyone loves the victory dance and the Fall Games dance is especially fun thanks to all the athletes and coaches who come dressed in costume! This year the dance will take place at Harlem High School after Opening Ceremony on Saturday. The dance will be from 7-8:30pm in the main gymnasium. So make sure to wear your best dancing shoes and everyone is encouraged to come in costume if they so desire.

Souvenirs

Souvenirs will only be sold on Saturday at both venues. Items are sold at Harlem High School from 8:00am – 3:00pm and at the Equestrian venue 8:00am – 2:00pm.   Items range from $1 to $55 and will include clothing and other traditional souvenir items. Cash and most major credit cards will be accepted for souvenir sales.  CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.  Souvenir items are offered by Minerva Promotions and a percentage of sales are given to Special Olympics Illinois.

Receive 15% off of all preorders when you spend $50 or more.  You can save time and pre-order items and pick them up on-site.  If you want to personalize any items then you must pre-order them.  On-site customization is not offered at the tournament.  Please click here: (Fall Games Interactive Souvenir Flier  Interactive Souvenir Flier or go to www.soillstatestore.com to view items and submit your preorder.

Text Alerts & Event Status Updates

In case of inclement weather, schedule changes or cancellations check the website here for updates. Please sign up for the text alert.  This alert will send you any last minute changes in the Fall Games schedule.  To register, please text “FallGames” to the number 844-393-0980.

Supporting Documents