In true Olympic spirit, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier lit up its Ferris wheel with a flame pattern and ignited a stationary torch atop the Ferris wheel hub on Thursday, June 11, 2010. The torch will be lit for four to officially kick-off the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) Summer Games.

The Olympic-style torch departed the Malibu Pier to complete one of the last legs of its run aboard a U.S. Coast Guard boat and arrived at the Santa Monica Pier where it was passed to Santa Monica Police Sergeant Mike Bratten and a Special Olympics athlete Kevin Hamilton, 17. The runners proceeded down the Santa Monica Pier with the torch to Pacific Park where Sergeant Bratten transported it to the Ferris wheel’s center hub and ignited a specially designed torch that was lit for the duration of the Summer Games. Following the torch ceremony, the Ferris wheel lighting changed to a flame pattern that will be continuously illuminated throughout the Summer Games being held June 12 and 13 at California State University, Long Beach.

Pacific Park also hosted an official appreciation party for all law enforcement and fire personnel. During that period, each emergency response member that presented their badge or acceptable identification received up to four free tickets for unlimited rides throughout Pacific Park. Also any non-emergency response guests that purchased an unlimited ride pass for $10, Pacific Park donated the net proceeds to SOSC.

“Our goal is to help raise funds and awareness for this year’s Summer Games in a non-traditional manner,” says Jeff Klocke, director of marketing and sales at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. “Special Olympics athletes are unique individuals and we can only hope that our display of support can match their passion for the games and commitment to excellence.”

Throughout this year’s Summer Games, Pacific Park will also host a booth to distribute up to 2,000 unlimited ride wristbands as an official “thank you” to coaches who participate in this year’s Summer Games.

“Pacific Park’s overall dedication to Special Olympics Southern California is beyond the scope of simply wanting to lend a helping hand,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “From the use of their venue on the Santa Monica Pier to their team’s feet on the ground at the Summer Games, it’s partners like Pacific Park that provide us with the ability to make dreams a reality for so many people with intellectual disabilities.”

In addition, Pacific Park hosted a Media Day with Special Olympics athletes during the torch arrival and emergency personnel appreciation event. Several of the athletes competing in the Summer Games were available for interviews, photographs and one-on-one competitions with media members based on amusement park games relating to their sport.

Athletes and volunteers travel from all over Southern California to participate in the annual Summer Games, which is the largest Special Olympics Southern California sports competition of the year with more than 1,100 athletes competing in aquatics, athletics (track & field), basketball, bocce, golf, and gymnastics. An expected 6,000 people will attend the games throughout the weekend. For more information about the Summer Games, visit www.sosc.org/summergames.