Grab a vine and swing on over to “Jungle Mania” this weekend, when Maria Shriver will recognize Anne Sweeney for her dedicated support of Special Olympics over the past 15 years.
The eighth annual Pier Del Sol celebration is put on by the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) and is a family-oriented event taking place on the Santa Monica Pier’s Historic Park on Sunday, Oct. 10. Sweeney is co-chairperson of Media Networks, the Walt Disney Company and president of Disney-ABC Television Group. Shriver is the 2004 honorary chair for Pier Del Sol, which will feature continuous entertainment, a VIP brunch, awards ceremony, silent auction and live music.
Shriver will present the award to Sweeney at noon. Since its inception in 1997, Pier Del Sol has raised more than $2 million to benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Southern California, an organization that strives to make a positive impact upon the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. More than 11,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in the organization’s year-round program of sports, training and competition.
The public is invited to the pier for the festivities, which will feature food from more than 35 of Los Angeles’s best restaurants. Among the top restaurants participating are Angelini Osteria, Granita, Jose, Maple Drive, Melisse, Sona, Spago Beverly Hills and Valentino. Patrons also can challenge their skills at the game booths and mingle with celebrities, or ride the carnival rides. Dancing to a jungle beat also will be part of the day.
This year’s event is presented by Westfield Shoppingtowns, the Walt Disney Company and Cingular Wireless.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $35 and include unlimited rides, six game booth tickets, and a meal coupon for Pacific Park’s food plaza. VIP tickets, which include unlimited rides an games at Pacific Park and the special VIP brunch, are $100 for individual tickets and $375 for a VIP package (five tickets). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling (213) 480-3232 or on the web at www.ticketmaster.com. For further information, call Special Olympics Southern California at (310) 215-8380, ext. 135.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 9, 2004. Read the original PDF.