<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2InxmR_0vhsNJgj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2InxmR_0vhsNJgj00" width="1320" height="743" >It was a hot one, but a fun for the athletes at the Special Olympics Family Festival over in Mattoon, Illinois.“I just told him, a while ago, I’m thirsty for a tall glass of sweet tea," said Jeff Rigg, a Special Olympian who's 65 years old.A wide arrange of activities and a guest appearance and concert from the great Elvis Presley (tribute artist Landon James) headlined an action packed event.Chris Whiteside was one of the special olympians. He’s made friends by doing these events, and says it's vital to keep a positive attitude.“I don’t expect to go in and always win. I do expect there are times where I am going to lose. A competition or two," he said. "Just have a good time, keep your team together and make sure they don’t go off the rails.”The event was helped run by dozens of volunteers, who loved seeing the athletes having a place to compete and have fun.“I’m retired so I come back every year. And meet people like Jeff here," said Michael Smith, a volunteer. "What makes it special is the special olympians. And I think that being friends for a day is just a great thing to do with special olympians.”</div></body>

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Special Olympics Family Festival heats up Mattoon with sports and Elvis tribute

It was a hot one, but a fun for the athletes at the Special Olympics Family Festival over in Mattoon, Illinois. “I just told him, a while ago, I’m thirsty for a tall glass of sweet tea,\" said Jeff Rigg, a Special Olympian who's 65 years old. A wide...

It was a hot one, but a fun for the athletes at the Special Olympics Family Festival over in Mattoon, Illinois. “I just told him, a while ago, I’m thirsty for a tall glass of sweet tea," said Jeff Rigg, a Special Olympian who's 65 years old. A wide...