SAUGUS — Saugus Olympics Day at World Series Park in Saugus will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For nine years World Series Park has hosted a Special Olympics Day, raising $150,000 for Special Olympics.
Superintendent of World Series Park Bob Davis said, “This type of event has great meaning and satisfaction, so we wanted to bring it back this year with different non-profit organizations.”
Challenger Baseball and Boys & Girls Club are the organizations that will participate.
A baseball tournament involving Challenger Baseball teams from the area will start at 9 at 11 a.m., the opening ceremony and parade of athletes will take place, emceed by Eddie Palladino, Boston Celtics announcer. Gerry Agganis, the inspiration for Agganis Special Olympics, will throw out the first pitch.
Nancy Kerrigan, a former Olympic medalist, will take part in the opening ceremony and will be available to meet and greet those in attendance. Other former Olympic medalists, including athletes who competed in this year’s Winter Olympics, will also participate. The Olympic athletes will be honored during the opening ceremony.
Entertainment will start on the stage at 10 a.m. and will be provided by the Saugus High Chorus, the Memory Laners featuring Howie “Sachmo” Conley, Beat ConnXtionz dancers, Just The Tree of Us, the Rosa Singers, and Joey B-Bop. The entertainment portion will be emceed by Joey Barilone.
The whole day will take on a festival atmosphere that will include raffles, a moon-bounce, antique cars, booths, games, hayride, costumed characters, and a large variety of food and drink. The event is free and open to the public. The rain date will be the next day, Sunday, Sept. 27.
World Series Park is proud to again sponsor this type of event, with all proceeds going to Challenger Baseball and Boys & Girls Club. Donations from businesses and individuals can be made prior to that day and will be acknowledged at the event. A fishbowl will be available for donations at the event. All checks should be made payable to World Series Park, 8 Holden Ave. Saugus, MA 01906.
