Pasadena to Host 6th Annual Adaptive Sports Festival

The City of Pasadena is set to host its 6th Annual Adaptive Sports Festival on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Brookside Park, 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. This free event, organized by the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department in collaboration with the Triumph Foundation, aims to promote inclusivity, introduce adaptive sports to a broader audience, and demonstrate the capabilities of athletes with disabilities.

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

“With flag football set to debut in the 2028 Olympics, we are thrilled to bring this exciting sport to the Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival,” Panossian said. “It’s an incredible opportunity for our community to experience this growing sport, and we are 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 handcycling, wheelchair rugby, pickleball, aquatics, tennis, boccia, adaptive archery, disc golf, boxing, power soccer, fencing, and flag football. The event will also feature a resource fair and an art workshop.

Experienced coaches and instructors will be on hand to guide participants through each activity. All necessary sports equipment will be provided, ensuring that everyone can participate regardless of their own gear. Registered participants will receive a complimentary lunch.

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

Estabrook,  a local Pasadena math teacher who became paralyzed after a spinal cord injury in 2016, said that “events like the Pasadena Adaptive Sports Festival bring families and friends together in the spirit of equality and empowerment. Brookside Park is the perfect venue to celebrate these athletes and their remarkable achievements.”

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

Those interested in registering, participating, or volunteering can visit Triumph-Foundation.org/ASF or contact Info@Triumph-Foundation.org for more information.