A large group of Special Olympics Maine athletes, coaches and partners, left, forms a parade Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Maine Kennebec Area Spring Games at the Melville H. Simmons Complex at Hall-Dale Middle & High School in Farmingdale. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Jarod Richmond, left, the Jobs For Maine’s Graduates specialist at Hall-Dale High School in Farmingdale, turns on the gas Thursday as longtime Special Olympics volunteer Peter Selwood lights the cauldron to start the Special Olympics Maine Kennebec Area Spring Games at the Melville H. Simmons Complex at Hall-Dale Middle & High School. Selwood says he has been volunteering in various capacities with the Special Olympics for 45 years. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Jordan Gibbens runs in the 100-meter dash Thursday during the Special Olympics Maine Kennebec Area Spring Games at the Melville H. Simmons Complex at Hall-Dale Middle & High School in Farmingdale. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Julian Caron of the Monmouth Memorial School team celebrates Thursday after receiving ribbons for racing in the 50- and 100-meter dashes during the Special Olympics Maine Kennebec Area Spring Games at the Melville H. Simmons Complex at Hall-Dale Middle & High School in Farmingdale. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Archie Searles tosses a Turbojav on Thursday during the Special Olympics Maine Kennebec Area Spring Games at the Melville H. Simmons Complex at Hall-Dale Middle & High School in Farmingdale. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

James Rutledge tosses a Turbojav on Thursday during the Special Olympics Maine Kennebec Area Spring Games at the Melville H. Simmons Complex at Hall-Dale Middle & High School in Farmingdale. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Participants run Thursday in their 100-meter dash heat at the Special Olympics Maine Kennebec Area Spring Games at the Melville H. Simmons Complex at Hall-Dale Middle & High School in Farmingdale. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal