Pasadena's 3rd Annual Adaptive Sports Festival Happening Nov. 20

PASADENA, CA — The City of Pasadena in coordination with Triumph Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to improve the lives of people living with disabilities, will host the third annual Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival on Saturday, Nov. 20.

According to a news release, the event will feature over 10 adaptive recreational sporting events that are open to the general public with free participation at Brookside Park. Sign up now at this link.

The adaptive sports include handcycling, wheelchair rugby, pickleball, beep baseball, tennis, boccia, basketball, archery, and more. Additionally, the event will feature a creative art section and resource fair.

This free adaptive sports festival will introduce adaptive sports, provide learning opportunities to the general public, and showcase individuals with disabilities in a way that the general public does not often see.

"The City of Pasadena is excited to partner with Triumph Foundation to offer this fun and exciting event for our community," said Brenda Harvey-Williams, City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services director. "This is the third of what we hope will be many Pasadena-based events promoting accessible and inclusive sports and fitness opportunities."

According to event organizers, the festival brings everyone together, of all abilities—able body and disabled alike—to take part in a day of fun activities and games, building a more inclusive community.

"In 2019, the event attracted close to a thousand participants and really made an impact on everyone who attended. We are so thankful for our partnership with the City of Pasadena," said Triumph Foundation Founder Andrew Skinner, who suffered a spinal cord injury in November 2004 in a snowboarding accident and founded the organization in 2008. "Events like this give people with disabilities a chance to push the limits of their ability, play games with friends and family on a level playing ground, and enhances their quality of life through the benefit of exercise, sports and fitness."

When asked about her experience at the 2019 Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival, Amber Lynn Machowski said, "Being here today has brought me so much joy, more joy than I have felt in the six years since my injury. Honestly, the smile on my face, you haven’t seen it much until you saw it today. I’ve enjoyed every minute of the festival."

Event attendees must wear masks. People are advised to stay home if they feel sick, even if symptoms are mild.

Triumph is also seeking community partners and volunteers to help support this event. For more information, email [email protected].