The Special Olympics is coming full circle by celebrating its 50th anniversary with a kickoff event at the place where the idea originated. The festivities start April 6 at SIU’s Touch of Nature Environmental Center. Everyone is invited to the kickoff celebration with opening ceremonies set for 10 a.m. on April 6 at Touch of Nature, located about eight miles south of Carbondale on Giant City Road.

Refreshments will be served at 10:30 a.m.

The celebration continues with Change the Game Day, an event featuring a wide variety of Special Olympics-style games from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants can enjoy various sports, crafts, backyard games, exercises, camp songs and dance, musical entertainment and much more.

It’s all free and open to the public. School groups and other organizations are welcome, too. Groups are encouraged to pre-register at www.ton.siu.edu/specialolympics.

The day is then capped off with the Gala in the Woods portion of the day from 6 to 9 p.m.  The first hour will be a reception featuring light appetizers accompanied by local wines, beers and spirits.

Dinner is at 7 p.m. followed by a live auction at 8 p.m.

Gala tickets are $150 per person or $1,000 for a table of eight. All funds raised will go to Touch of Nature and Special Olympics programs and services. Seating is limited and the attire is casual.

To reserve a seat, RSVP by calling 618/457-2969 by March 30. Or, contact Shane Bennett, 1740 Innovation Drive, Box 203, Carbondale, IL 62903.