As team after Special Olympics team paraded past Boothbay Region Elementary School Assistant Principal Tricia Campbell in Wiscasset Friday, she cheered for each one.

She was proud of all the teams, from schools and groups in the Boothbay region, Wiscasset and elsewhere, for the hard work they put into training, the former Wiscasset special education teacher said.

“There’s a lot of commitment,” Campbell said on the sideline at the morning’s opening ceremonies, which got a blue sky. “You can’t beat that,” Campbell said about the weather.

Wiscasset’s Anna McDougal, competing on the Bath-Brunswick Area Adult Special Olympics team, walked 2.5 miles a day leading up to the May 20 event.

She loves Special Olympics for the healthful exercise and the chance to participate in sports, McDougal said. Friday, she gave the athlete oath before the crowd. On the steps behind her, Wiscasset Middle High School senior Erik Hutchison held the ceremonial torch.

McDougal was excited to be giving the oath, her sister Amy Burchstead of Wiscasset said. She was excited to be there for McDougal; and it was good for son Asa, 3, to get to see his aunt in action, Burchstead added.

Another spectator, Eli Salazar, 4, of Woolwich, attending with parents Jessica and Steven Salazar, was getting to see his brother Wesley Salazar, 6, compete in the softball throw. It’s a variation on the heavier shot put some of the Special Olympians would be competing in, according to Wiscasset special education life skills teacher Melissa Burgess.

Jessica Salazar said Wesley, who practices his throwing with family members and with a t-ball set, was enjoying himself. Asked about throwing the ball minutes earlier, he said, “Fun.”

“It’s nice to meet other families here, too,” his mother said.

The event garnered volunteers from around the region including several from host Wiscasset. WMHS senior Joseph McGrath was helping relay slips with the Olympians’ times on them.

“I just thought this was a good thing they were doing and I wanted to see if I could help,” McGrath said about why he volunteered.

Boothbay’s Lynn Pawlowski, a University of Maine at Orono junior and 2013 Boothbay Region High School graduate, was keeping the sand swept at the long jump. She’s been volunteering for Special Olympics for several years.

“I like the kids. They’re a lot of fun. I’ve watched them grow up,” she said.

Burgess said Wiscasset’s team members trained since early April, during their physical education classes.

“I enjoy watching them learn, and get better at their events, and when they actually compete, how good they feel about it. And they all show great sportsmanship,” Burgess added.

Special Olympics is a wonderful organization to be involved with, Burgess said. Participants can continue as adults, form what may be lifelong friendships, and benefit from the healthy lifestyle and sense of togetherness it fosters, she said.

The team competed in Special Olympics’ state swim meet this year, Burgess said. Friday’s track and field event was a regional one ahead of a state one at UMO in June, she said. The team won’t make that one, for lack of funding, but she is hopeful for next year, she said.