TIFTON — The Tift County Special Olympics are set to take place Friday, Apr. 20 at E.B. Hamilton Complex.

The Special Olympics, which began in 1968, is celebrating its 50 year anniversary this year. The games have been taking place locally for approximately 30 years.

The games, which begin at 9 a.m. and run until noon, will have more than 200 participants this year.

The torch bearers this year will be Jarvis Robertson, Mesganaw Woldemeskal, Tift County Student Athletes and Mike Beeman.

The Eighth Street Middle School Band will perform and the Tift County High School JROTC will present the colors.

Syndee Roberson from the Easter Seals program and Aaron Lever from TCHS will sing the National Anthem, followed by Juan Lopez and Tifton Police Chief Buddy Dowdy leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

School Superintendent Patrick Atwater and Tift County Recreation Department Director Craig Sowell will give the welcome and Mayor Julie Smith will give the prayer.

Special recognition will be given to Yuri Ana Gachuz, who designed the t-shirt for this year’s games.  

Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough will lead all participants in reciting the Olympic Creed and Walter Burgess will officially open the games.

Athletes will rotate between 15 stations. Activities will include bowling, target throwing, basketball, cornhole, water shoot, soccer, noodle ball and fishing.

Follow Eve Guevara on Twitter @EveGuevaraTTG.