Region I Taste of Something Special

What is Taste of Something Special?

On Thursday, October 5, Special Olympics Illinois Region I will host the 14th Annual Taste of Something Special located at the WalkWay in Mattoon. The event will begin at 5:00 PM and conclude at 8:00 PM. The Taste of Something Special has a variety of engaging activities throughout the night. Attendees can enjoy an evening filled with wine tasting, beer sampling, a meal from La Luna Mexican Food truck, silent auction, your choice raffle, and a wine cork pull. All proceeds from the event benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Illinois Region I.

Facility Information

Please check back closer to the event for more information.

Event Details

Patrons will be able to purchase the wines and spirits that are available for sampling that evening. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $20. Tickets will also be for sale on the night of for $25 at the door. All attendees will receive a gift, along with eight wine/beer tasting tickets.

The silent auction items can be bid on prior to the event and throughout the night until the close of the auction at 7:45 PM.

The your choice raffle will be auctioning a variety of great items that range from restaurant gift certificates to hand crafted pieces of art created by local supporters.

The wine cork pull is back again this year! During the Wine Cork Pull, attendees have the choice to purchase one wine cork for $10 or three wine corks for $25 to have the chance to win the cork’s matching bottle of wine. The sisterhood of Omega Nu Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha will be coordinating the wine donations.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

The presenting sponsors for the 14th Annual Taste of Something Special will be honored here soon.

Supporting Documents

To see a complete list of all State Championship Competitions, click here.

To find out more information about the Knights of Columbus, who support Special Olympics Illinois throughout the year, click here.

Who We Are

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 21,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 9,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.

COVID Procedures

Unless a venue has specific COVID protocols in place, Special Olympics Illinois is following Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC COVID protocols and guidelines. Please refer to event specific information or website page (if applicable) to determine if the venue has any specific COVID protocols. 

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible. While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority. All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines. 

Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information.