The Special Olympics Family Festival, also known as SOFF, is an event held every year on the third Saturday of September on the grounds of Lake Land College, Mattoon, IL. The event is designed to provide an exciting day filled with fun, food, music, entertainment and noncompetitive games for Special Olympics athletes from East-central Illinois.
SOFF began in 1984 in Mattoon which makes it 41 years since it started. It was started by Consolidated Communication to engage their employees in the community.
Volunteers known as “Friends-for-a-day” are paired with athletes who spend the entire day with them, taking part in activities and providing support. A color-coding system for t-shirts is used to help distinguish athletes, friends-for-a-day, event staff and organizers, making it easier for everyone to identify their roles and find assistance when needed and this t-shirt is provided for free.
Every year, the festival has different themes which are reflected in the decorations, T-shirts and activities. Past themes have included “Under the sea,” “Viva la soff,” “Superheroes,” “Carnival,” “Western” and many more.
There is an opening ceremony after each athlete is paired with their friends-for-a-day which consists of a parade of various kinds. Then the athletes go around with their friends to play games and have fun. Lunch starts at 11 a.m. till 1 p.m., the food is free and provided for both the athlete and their friends. From 1 p.m. till 2 p.m., is the closing ceremony where each athlete receives a medal from their friend.
The festival is a true community effort with lots of sponsors, partners, sustainers, supporters, advocates and friends from the community. Lots of individuals have directly or indirectly impacted the success of the festival in the past but Consolidated Communications has been the main organizer, sponsor and partner of all events since its founding.
For the 2024 Special Olympics event, their partners were; First Mid Bank & Trust, Sarah Bush Lincoln, Lake Land College, Special Olympics Illinois, Eastern Illinois University.
Sustainers and supporters were Cromwell Media, Area Educational Credit Union, Casey State Bank, CoBank, Consolidated Call Center Services, Rural King and Washington Savings Bank.
Advocates and friends were Agracel, Craig & Craig LLC, Dieterich Bank, Doehring Winders & Co LLP, Harrelson Plumbing & Heating, J & J Ventures Gaming, Monahan Partners, SC3F Wealth Management Group, Sound Source Music and West & Company.
The festival is more than just fun and games, it is an event that shows that no matter who you are and what you are, you can always build friendships with new people of all ages and uniqueness even if it was just for a day. It is an example of what can be achieved when we embrace diversity and champion the strengths of every individual.
