State Winter Games at Waterville Valley
Presented by Eversource
Concord, NH (February 28, 2024) – Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) State Winter Games return to Waterville Valley this Sunday through Tuesday, March 3rd, 4th and 5th. Opening Ceremonies are Sunday night in the Waterville Valley Town Square. The ceremony will include the lighting of the Flame of Hope, the parade of SONH athletes from all parts of the state, a law enforcement cruiser parade and the ceremony ends with a fireworks display. The three-day event will include competition in alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing events.
SONH President and CEO Mary Conroy is looking forward to the athletes coming back to the Valley. “In 2023 we returned to our full slate of local, regional and state competitions. Now that we’re entering a second consecutive year anticipating all events will be held again, it feels great for our athletes, volunteers and staff,” she said.
Waterville Valley will welcome hundreds of athletes along with dozens of coaches and dozens more volunteers from local programs around the state. Hundreds of event volunteers will come together to provide an exceptional experience in sports competition, special events and awards ceremonies for SONH athletes.
Eversource returns as the competition’s presenting sponsor and is bringing a volunteer force of nearly 160 people to the games to assist with competition, logistics and help ensure a world-class athlete experience.
“Special Olympics New Hampshire is one of the premier organizations for inclusion in our state, transforming the lives of children and adults alike, and we’re proud of our strong partnership at Eversource with SONH to help advance their important mission and profound impact on Granite Staters and their families,” said Eversource New Hampshire President of Electric Operations and SONH Board of Directors Member Doug Foley. “Our employees look forward every year to supporting the athletes and volunteering at the Winter Games, which is always an inspirational showcase of SONH athletes’ skill, passion, and camaraderie.”
Doug Foley also led a flock of nearly 60 Eversource employees into the ocean at the 2024 Penguin Plunge event raising more than $114,000.00 for Special Olympics New Hampshire.
Other mission partners for the event include McDonald’s-The Napoli Group, Associated Grocers of New England, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast and Sunbelt Rentals.
Opening ceremonies take place Sunday evening at 7:30 pm with competition taking place Monday and Tuesday. All events are free and open to the public.
Anyone interested in volunteering can view available tasks and times here. More information about the Special Olympics New Hampshire State Winter Games presented by Eversource as well as results from this years’ competition will be available at www.SONH.org.
About SONH:
Special Olympics New Hampshire (SONH) is an accredited program of Special Olympics International (SOI) and is part of an international global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance.
Click the buttons below for schedule and map of events!