Moss Point Welcomes the Special Olympics Area 12 Track & Field Games On March 11, 2026

Moss Point Welcomes The Special Olympics

Every year, something remarkable happens on the track at Jerry Alexander Stadium. Horns blare, crowds roar, and athletes cross finish lines with the kind of joy that reminds you what sport is really about. On Tuesday, March 11, 2026, the City of Moss Point is proud to once again host the Special Olympics Mississippi Area 12 Track & Field Games, one of the most inspiring events on the Gulf Coast calendar.

What Is Area 12?

Special Olympics Mississippi Area 12 represents athletes from Jackson, George, and Greene Counties — communities that come together each spring to celebrate the courage, determination, and athleticism of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The games bring together student athletes from schools including the Jackson County Exceptional School, Moss Point High School, St. Martin High School, East Central High School, and others across the region.

This is more than a competition. It’s a celebration of what’s possible when a community chooses inclusion.

What to Expect on Game Day

Athletes will compete across a full slate of track and field events, including sprints, relay races, long jump, shot put, javelin, softball toss, and tennis ball throw. Each participant has spent months in training, working toward personal bests and the thrill of competition, and every event carries real weight and real meaning.

The day kicks off with an opening procession that draws athletes, families, coaches, and fans together before competition begins. If you’ve never seen 60-plus athletes parade into a stadium with their supporters cheering them on, put it on your list, it’s something you won’t forget!

Come Be Part of It

The energy in the stands fuels the athletes on the field. Schools, businesses, church groups, and community organizations are all encouraged to come out, cheer loud, and make it an experience. Last year, Moss Point High students attending for the first time described it as a blessing and one of the best experiences they’d ever had. That reaction says everything.

Volunteers are also a critical part of making the games happen. Whether you want to help with event logistics, cheer athletes on, or assist with setup and coordination, your presence makes a direct difference. If you’re interested in volunteering, reach out to the City of Moss Point or Special Olympics Mississippi for details.

A Legacy Worth Celebrating

Moss Point first hosted the Area 12 games in 2024, marking the return of the event after a gap that stretched back to before 2020. Since then, the city has embraced the role of host with open arms, and the games have grown in sponsorship, attendance, and community energy with each passing year. Mayor Billy Knight’s vision that every citizen, of every age and ability, has a place in this city is on full display every time these athletes take the field.

Special Olympics Mississippi serves more than 7,000 athletes statewide across 18 regions, and Area 12 athletes who advance from these games go on to compete at the state level, including the Summer Games at Keesler Air Force Base. This year, top performers will also be part of the broader pipeline preparing Team Mississippi for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.

Become a Sponsor

The Special Olympics Area 12 Track & Field Games runs on community support, and that’s where local businesses and organizations like yours come in. Sponsoring this event is one of the most visible and meaningful ways a Gulf Coast business can invest in the community it serves. Your support helps cover the costs that make the games possible: medals, equipment, event logistics, and the overall experience for athletes and their families.

Past years have seen growing sponsor participation, and the games continue to expand in reach and attendance. Aligning your business with this event puts your name in front of families, schools, local officials, and community members from across Jackson, George, and Greene Counties, while standing for something that matters!

Ready to sponsor? Visit parksandrec.cityofmosspoint.org to get started or to learn more about available sponsorship opportunities. For direct inquiries, reach out to the Moss Point Parks and Recreation Department.

These athletes show up and give everything they have. Your sponsorship helps make sure the stage is worthy of their effort.

Mark Your Calendar

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2026

📍 Location: Jerry Alexander Stadium, Moss Point, Mississippi

🕘 Opening Procession: 9:00 AM

Come ready to cheer, come ready to be moved, and come ready to witness what happens when heart, hard work, and community all show up in the same place at the same time.

Moss Point is proud to host. We’ll see you on the track.