ESCANABA — The 2024 Special Olympics Michigan District Basketball Tournament will be held Saturday, March 2 at the Escanaba High School according to organizers of the event. Linda Beauchamp, Special Olympics chairperson for the Escanaba Noon Kiwanis Club, said participants from all across the Upper Peninsula are expected to attend with male and female athletes of various abilities, ages 16 and up competing in the tournament.

“The Escanaba Kiwanis has been proudly sponsoring this event for almost 50 years and this year we are expecting around 350 people, including athletes, coaches and chaperones,” Beauchamp said. She went on to say that Kiwanians organize and recruit volunteers from their club and from other Kiwanis clubs in the community for most of the event.

Registration for participants begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 2 at the Escanaba High School, with opening ceremonies for the tournament scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The games will start at approximately 10:30 a.m. The McDonald Brothers will be providing music throughout the day in the commons area. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. and closing ceremonies will take place around 3 p.m.

Special Olympics Michigan provides year round sports training and athletic competition for almost 22,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes build physical fitness, develop self-confidence and prepare for participation in community sports programs.

The public is invited to attend; there is no cost for admission and the concession stand will be available all day Saturday.