NATCHEZ — Businessmen peeked outside their Main Street offices Thursday morning to check out the commotion of blue-T-shirted people lining the street.

Athletes and supporters of the Special Olympics cheered on torch runners to celebrate the games kicking off this weekend in Biloxi.

By the time the torch reached athletes on both sides of the street, they were jumping and clapping while Adams County Sheriff’s deputies sounded their sirens, bringing up the rear behind the torch carrier.

The event ended with cake and fruit on the bluff to allow participants to indulge one more time before today’s bus ride to Biloxi.

James Stanley Cater, 19, said at the celebration he was confident he would perform well in the 400-meter race and softball throw.

“I’m going to get first place,” said Carter, who will also be celebrating his graduation from Natchez High School this month.

Carter said he loves showing his friends and family his ribbons after the games, in which he has participated for five years.

“I tell everybody (about how he places),” he said.

Carter’s mother, Alice Jackson, said the Special Olympics are great for her son and all involved.

“He is going to be so sociable now, they need more programs (like the Special Olympics),” Jackson said.

Area 7 Special Olympics Director Tommie Jones said Natchez area athletes will be staying at the Keesler Air Force Base until Sunday for the games.

She said 30 rooms were booked in Biloxi by parents who will travel to support their children.

Biloxi police officer Louis Beck, who is a leg leader of the torch run, said carrying the torch is a great way to spread awareness about the Special Olympics.

“It went fantastic,” he said.

He said the T-shirt sales for the torch run are a major fundraiser for the games, and it also gives the athletes and entire public a different perceptive of law enforcement agencies, which are involved in the fundraising activities.

Carter said he would like to carry the torch for the Special Olympics someday, too.