The Special Olympics family fun festival is all about the athletes. There is no competition and everyone wins! News Watch's Abbey Taylor had the chance to spend the day with an athlete who took took home the GOLD and a lot of memories! Bradlee Todd is one of many athletes participating in the Special Olympics Family Fun Fest at the Lake Land College Campus in Mattoon. This is Todd's eighth year at Fun Fest and he says this is something he looks forward to every year. He says it's fun because you meet more people you didn't kno and you're meeting old friends that you've known for awhile and you're having fun with everybody. The athletes can play different games at the activity booths, grab some popcorn, all while hanging out with a new friend. Todd says during the day you can catch him and his buddy playing his favorite sports. He says he likes having fun here because there is all kinds of sports. He says you can play volleyball you can shoot a basketball, throw or kick a football or hit a wiffle ball. There's pretty much anything. And playing sports isn't the only thing Todd does. For the past year he has served as a global messenger for the Illinois Area 9 District of the Special Olympics. The job allows Todd to speak on the behalf of other athletes from the area. He says it's fun job, you get to do a lot of things. He says he is still trying to become a world messenger. Todd says this year they're celebrating the 33rd year of the Family Fun Fest but this year is extra special. Organizer Dan Romack says Midge McDowell started volunteering in 1984 only a couple hundred of athletes were involved in the event. This past July McDowell passed away and at the event they spent time remembering her. Family Fun Fest has over seven hundred athletes participating in activities and games.T hey say over fourteen hundred people volunteered their time to make the event possible.
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