MOKANE, Mo. - They'll run, jump, throw softballs - and they'd love to hear you cheer.
The Special Olympics is returning to South Callaway High School at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
"It was very successful last year," said Angie Trammell, a South Callaway staff member who organized the event. "Last year, we had five schools, and this year we'll have nine schools."
In addition to South Callaway, athletes will come from New Bloomfield, Fulton, Fatima, Chamois, Tuscumbia, St. Elizabeth, Linn and Russellville. Trammell expects about 95 athletes ages 8-21 and about 50 young athletes aged 3-7.
"The only real difference is that each athletes will do three events instead of two this year," she said.
They'll compete in events like long jump, softball throwing and wheelchair races.
"What makes it so neat is that most of the time, events aren't about these kids," Trammell said. "Most of the time, they've never had events dedicated to them."
She said children with disabilities are often stuck on the sidelines, cheering for their siblings.
"People will bring entire families to the Special Olympics to watch these kids compete," Trammell said. "Their siblings are cheering them on. The tables are turned, which is a great thing."
The day will begin with a parade of athletes and an opening by state Rep. Travis Fitzwater. Veteran Special Olympian Tina Jones and her mother and coach Sharlet Jones will lead the parade, Trammell said.
"Tina has participated in national and international Special Olympics events, and she's a graduate of South Callaway," Trammell added.
Tina Jones started participating in Special Olympics about 25 years ago in a wide variety of sports. Since then, she's gone to the World Games in 1991 for gymnastics, the National Games in 2006 and 2010 for tennis, and the National Games in 2014 for golf. She's also served as a global messenger for Special Olympics Missouri.
Sharlet Jones started as an assistant coach in 1998. Since then, she has acted as a certified coach, volunteer and partner for Tina.
Though the deadline for volunteer sign-up has passed, members of the community can still participate by showing up to whoop and applaud during events.
"I'm pretty well set on volunteers," Trammell said. "The high school here is sending their National Honors Society. I have adults from the community, all over, that have wanted to participate."
A full concession stand will be available for spectators and participants, she said.