Get ready. Get set. Go!
After a four-year hiatus, the DARE Olympics are back. Hundreds of students from in and around Madison County will test their skills in 17 events at St. Patrick School on May 10.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office organizes the all-day extravaganza, which is staffed by volunteers from the community.
“We have a lot of businesses involved this time,” said Lt. Teena Gallagher, “like Battelle who is bringing 17 volunteers from their sites in Columbus and West Jefferson.”
Gallagher said she can still use more volunteers. Anyone who wants to help can show up the day of the event for an 8:30 a.m. organizational meeting.
Opening ceremonies and registration start at 9 a.m. Former Madison County Sheriff Herb Markley will play the National Anthem on his harmonica, a tradition he started with the last few Olympics.
Kindergarten through eighth-grade stu-dents will compete in categories based on their age. They will receive a ribbon for each event they complete. First-, second- and third-place finishers will receive gold, silver and bronze medals.
Among the 17 competitive events are four team challenges: three-on-three bas-ketball, cornhole, tug-of-war and volleyball.
The individual events are: 50-yard dash, sack races, football throw, baseball throw, poster contest, soccer shootout, pedal car race, bicycle races (bring your own bike and helmet), jumprope contest, foul shot contest, hot shot contest, obstacle course (set up by local fire departments), and a new casting tournament.
“The Anglers of Madison County have donated fishing poles. The kids will cast and try to hit five different targets,” Gallagher explained.
In addition to the competitive events, the Olympics will feature five non-competitive activities in the form of bouncy inflatables.
The DARE Olympics will take place rain or shine. St. Patrick School is located at 226 Elm St. in London, across the street from the Madison County Fairgrounds. For details or to volunteer, call 740-845-1804 or 845-1813.
The 11th Madison County DARE Olympics is sponsored by a grant from Detention of Youth Services and Judge Glenn Hamilton.
