Matt Summerfield, left, and Andrew Smith, laugh while Donald Van Etten holds a candy bar he snatched from a teammate in the athletes' dinner prior to the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Special Olympics New York State Winter Games hosted at Joseph A. Floreano Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, N.Y., on February 23, 2018. "I can make people laugh regardless" says Donald, who will be participating in the floor hockey competition alongside Matt and Andrew. (Photo by: Rebeca Posadas-Nava)

Opening Ceremonies 2018

  • Opening Ceremonies
    Athletes and coaches celebrate as the Opening Ceremonies celebrate the start of the 2018 State Winter Games.
  • Athlete Dinner
    Athletes and coaches from around New York State share a dinner before the start of Opening Ceremonies.
  • Final Preparations
    Volunteers from across the region set up for Opening Ceremonies and the start of competition as nearly 1,000 athletes and coaches begin to arrive.
  • Olympic Village
    As athletes and coaches enjoy festivities in the Olympic Village area, performers prepare backstage to participate in the Opening Ceremonies.