Thousands plan to flock to the Bloomington-Normal area to attend the three-day Special Olympic Summer Games.

The competitions will take place primarily at Illinois State University, with host sites at Grossinger Motors Arena, Normal Community High School, and Kingsley Junior High. Pete Beale (BEALE) Del Vecchio (VECK-e-oh) is Special Olympics Illinois's President and Chief Executive Officer.

The three-day games kick off with a welcoming ceremony Friday night at Hancock Stadium on I-S-U's campus.

More than three thousand athletes from 13-states are expected to compete in the three-day event.