By Seth AMITIN

For the second year in a row, Crescenta Valley High will host 150 Special Olympians in track and field and bocce ball for the CV CAN Games, a Special Olympics event in the Tri-Valley region, this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the campus.
Both times the event was organized by CV CAN, Crescenta Valley Committed to Athletic Needs, a non-profit La Crescenta-based community organization.
“This is our second time hosting the event,” said CV CAN Event Coordinator Grace Chase.  “We went up to the Special Olympics Committee last year and we called them to ask if we could host an event. They didn’t know much about us, but went with it anyway. After last year’s event, they called us to see if we could host again.”
The track and field events will take place on the Crescenta Valley track and football field while the bocce ball events will take place on the grass field next to the softball field.
“The “Olympic Village,” a small carnival with food, face painting and carnival games, will be on the outdoor basketball courts just above the field.
“[The Olympic Village} is a fun thing for participants to do between events,” said Chase.
The event will host 150 athletes and about 350 volunteers.
“This track meet is probably a prelim for several other athletes [for the Special Olympics],” Chase said. “We have 15 students from GUSD that will be competing for the first time which we’re really excited about. Special Olympics run from ages 8 to 80.
“With state cuts and everyone cutting back, we’re really excited to offer these athletes a chance for a competition.”
Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m. and events will start immediately after at 9:30 a.m.  The event is scheduled to run until 3 p.m.
The fields are located in the 4300 block of Ramsdell Avenue in La Crescenta. There is no charge to attend.