Pasadena is hosting the 6th Annual Adaptive Sports Festival – Pasadena Now

The City of Pasadena will host its 6th annual Adaptive Sports Festival on Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. organize. This free event, organized by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services in partnership with the Triumph Foundation, aims to promote inclusion, introduce adaptive sports to a broader audience and showcase the abilities of athletes with disabilities.

Koko Panossian, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, highlighted the addition of flag football to this year’s festival.

“With flag football set to make its debut at the 2028 Olympics, we are excited to bring this exciting sport to the Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival,” said Panossian. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our community to experience this growing sport, and we’re always looking for new ways to engage everyone in fun, inclusive activities that promote health and wellness.”

The festival offers a wide range of adaptive sports and activities.

Participants can try hand cycling, wheelchair rugby, pickleball, water sports, tennis, bocce ball, adaptive archery, disc golf, boxing, power soccer, fencing and flag football. The event will also include a resource fair and an art workshop.

Experienced trainers and instructors are available to assist participants and guide them through each activity. All necessary sports equipment is provided so that everyone can participate regardless of their own equipment. Registered participants receive a free lunch.

“The community loves it,” said Cy Estabrook, a member of the Pasadena Disability and Accessibility Commission.

Estabrook, a math teacher from Pasadena who was paralyzed after suffering a spinal cord injury in 2016, said, “Events like the Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival bring families and friends together in the spirit of equality and empowerment.” Brookside Park is the perfect place to celebrate these athletes and theirs to celebrate remarkable achievements.”

The Triumph Foundation is currently seeking participants, volunteers, sponsors and community partners to support the event.

Anyone interested in registering, participating or volunteering can visit Triumph-Foundation.org/ASF or contact [email protected] for more information.