MERIDIAN - Athletes with the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games have made the trip to Idaho by bus and by plane. To make sure the athletes and the coaches felt welcome communities around the Treasure Valley organized a number of fun events from dances to barbeque's.

The delegation from Kazakhstan may have traveled thousands of miles to get here but with a simple soccer ball and a whole lot of food local residents wasted no time making them feel welcome.

Of course it wouldn't be a true Idaho welcome party without a little "hoe down."

"We organized it so they could learn about Idaho and get a Western feel about stuff," said 17-year-old Jenna Hollowell.

Hollowell organized Friday nights bash for a church project. Her family is one of 18 others serving as hosts for the Kazakhstani team.

"It's really fun to live with them and learn what they do. They drink coffee in the morning, even the little kids," Hollowell said.

From a BBQ buffet, to a little line dancing and don't forget the bull riding, everyone had a chance to have a little fun before the games begin.

And while many of the hosts admit communicating has been a little challenging with their guests,
these families say it's all worth it if it means making some new friends.

"It's a good place, with friends," said Ruslan Umbi, a floor hockey athlete from Kazakhstan.

In total there are 48 Kazakhstani's staying with host families. Only a few of them speak a little English. The families have been relying on a interpreter who follows the delegation as well as the Internet to help communicate with each other.