As of late last week, 49 runners had signed up for the Friday, July 16, Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games that will come through Auburn.
Auburn is among more than 70 Nebraska communities where runs and ceremonies will be conducted Monday-Saturday, July 12-17.
The run will come to Auburn from Falls City via Highway 75. The Auburn High School Show Choir will sing the national anthem at Legion Memorial Park to start the festivities. The starter’s gun will go off at 11:45 a.m. at Legion Park. Noon ceremonies are at Auburn High School. State Sen. Tony Fulton, Auburn High School graduate, is the special guest. There will be a welcome, introduction and remarks from dignitaries, remarks by the final leg law enforcement officer and a final leg Team Special Olympics athlete, presentation of dignitary gifts, a gift exchange, presentation of medallions and gift to final leg runners, closing remarks, final Leg Team interaction and final leg pins distributed. The final leg departure is at 12:30 p.m. The torch run will then proceed to Tecumseh en route to Lincoln.
Other Southeast Nebraska communities with ceremonies scheduled for July 16 are Nebraska City, Syracuse, Wymore, Fairbury and Beatrice.
After the torch run leaves Auburn, food will be served. There will be Special Olympics events held: putting (golf); softball throw; long jump; basketball; and punt, pass and kick (football).
Time Warner Cable’s Nebraska On Demand, Channel 101, will televise the Auburn torch run and ceremony and provide complete coverage of the 2010 USA National Games and ceremonies starting Sunday, July 18.
Children ages 12 and under are encouraged to make posterboards to hold up as the athletes run down Highway 136 from Legion Memorial Park to Auburn Senior High School. Amateur candid photos of the festivities will be displayed at the Nemaha County Fair in late July.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg for the 2010 USA National Games begins Saturday, July 10, at Des Moines, Iowa. Flame lighting ceremony is Sunday, July 11, at Ames, Iowa. The Flame of Hope enters Nebraska that evening and travels throughout the state July 12-17. July 18 will be the run from the State Capitol to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for the 3 p.m. USA National Games Opening Ceremonies.
More than 3,000 athletes will compete July 18-23 at Lincoln. The opening and closing ceremonies and aquatics are at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Golf is at the Mahoney and Highlands golf courses. Tennis, volleyball and soccer are at the Abbott Sports Complex. Basketball is at Lincoln Southeast High School. Gymnastics is at the University of Nebraska Coliseum. Powerlifting is at Kimball Recital Hall. Softball is at Fleming Fields. Track and field is at Ed Weir Stadium. Bocce is at Cook Pavilion. Bowling is at Sun Valley Lanes. Flag football is at Mabel Lee Hall fields. Closing ceremonies are July 23 at 7:30 p.m.