‘Elvis’ Will Attend Special Olympics Fete

The Ventura County Special Olympics ninth annual Sports Awards Banquet may prove a more exciting night than usual this Saturday.

Not only will some young athletes receive special recognition for outstanding performances, someone extraordinarily special will be on hand to fete them: Elvis.

“The King will be in attendance,” confirmed Bob Martin, a spokesman for the Special Olympics. Actually, it’s Elvis impersonator J. R. Shropshire, but who has to know?

“The kids go wild when they see Elvis,” Martin said.

This year’s banquet will be held at the Santa Paula Community Center at 530 W. Main St. Some 200 athletes with their coaches and families will be there to celebrate another year of training and competing.

This event is open to the public, and tickets are $5 at the door.

The Ventura County Special Olympics has been operating since 1969. It involves 800 athletes and 2,300 volunteers. It hosts 37 events throughout the year. Its athletes compete in 17 sporting categories.

For information about this or other Ventura County Special Olympics events, call 654-7787.