Community invited to line the streets for Special Olympics Athlete send-off in Culver

Marshall and Starke County Special Olympics athletes are heading to Terre Haute later this month for the 2026 Indiana Special Olympics Summer Games, and organizers are calling on the community to give them a send-off to remember.

After months of training, practice, and preparation, athletes from both counties will compete at the state level in Swimming, Track & Field, Bocce, Powerlifting, and Bowling when the Summer Games begin in Terre Haute.

Before they make the trip, coaches and administrators are asking residents to line the streets of Culver on Thursday, June 11th, at 6 p.m. for a community send-off parade. The athletes will depart from Culver High School, traveling via School Street to Academy Road, then on to Lake Shore Drive before heading south on Main Street.

Marshall Starke Special Olympics administrators are encouraging everyone to come out with signs, posters, banners, pom-poms, cowbells, and their loudest cheers to celebrate the athletes as they begin their journey to compete against teams from across Indiana.

"These athletes have worked hard to reach this moment," organizers said. "They've trained through challenges, celebrated victories, learned from setbacks, and continued pushing forward. Now it's our turn to show them just how proud Marshall and Starke Counties are of their accomplishments."

All community members are welcome — whether you have a family member competing, know one of the athletes personally, volunteer with the program, or simply want to show your support for an incredible group of individuals.