Although a popcorn machine and cotton-candy maker stood between them, they danced anyway.

A Special Olympics athlete, cotton candy in hand, danced in front of the refreshment table, while Weinberg freshman Alex Davis danced behind it. The two smiled, laughed and danced together to “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People at Sunday’s Developmental Disabilities Day carnival.

Originally scheduled to be held on Northwestern’s Lakefill, the carnival moved to Patten Gym because of cold temperatures, said Lis Rehder, Special Olympics outreach co-chairwoman.

“(The gym) creates more of an intimate atmosphere,” said Rehder, a Weinberg senior. “If you don’t have to deal with the weather, you have the potential for a better event.”

Weinberg senior Mike Wong said Passover could keep some athletes from attending because many are from an Orthodox Jewish group.

Between 100 and 200 students and athletes participated throughout the day, about the same number as last year, Rehder said. Six fraternities and sororities, Dance Marathon, Kellogg students and members of the football team volunteered at the event.

Some Special Olympics athletes tested their strength by arm-wrestling members of the football team. Other athletes and students painted tie-dye art, bounced on a moon jump, played football and basketball carnival games, and danced to music deejayed by Jay Simms.

“I’m a music buff, so I like listening to the music,” said Skokie resident Michele Spector, 35, who swims the 25-meter breaststroke and 50-meter backstroke for the Special Olympics team.

Developmental Disabilities Day attempts to raise awareness of disabilities on campus and facilitate more student-athlete interaction, said Rachel Adamczyk, a Weinberg senior who serves as Special Olympics co-president. The Special Olympics executive board hopes to “get students out of their bubble and have a great time with Special Olympics athletes,” she said.

“It’s not only about (the athletes’) hard-working spirit; it’s about the community getting involved,” said Grace Kim, a Weinberg senior.

To raise awareness of intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics board created an educational committee last year. Although a speaker gave a presentation at last year’s carnival, Sunday’s event focused on interaction with the athletes.

“We have to walk a fine line with education when the athletes are there,” said Wong, who serves as Special Olympics co-president. “You don’t want to make the athletes an object of study. It would be uncomfortable.”

Randy Tosch, Education ’04, created Developmental Disabilities Day in 2002. Adamczyk said the event has become a “staple on campus,” drawing in more student volunteers each year.

A 5K race held Saturday and Sunday’s carnival marked the beginning of Special Olympics Week, which leads up to the Area 5 Spring Games on May 1.

Many of Sunday’s volunteers will coach or participate in the games. Davis, who will present awards on May 1, said the carnival provides an opportunity to meet the athletes before the games.

“It’s so rewarding being in my position and seeing the athletes achieving what they want to,” Wong said. “Coaching, you see them improve. A runner myself, I know how hard it is.”

The oldest and largest student-run Special Olympics program in the United States, NU’s Special Olympics group plans and runs the games for Area 5, a sector of Special Olympics Illinois. NU’s group raises more than $10,000 each year.

“It’s always motivating to see (the athletes’) outlook on life,” Adamczyk said. “The best education is hanging out with the athletes and realizing how much you can learn from them. (They teach us) much more than we can ever teach them.”

Reach Margaret Matray at [email protected].