Local cheerleading squads will compete in the upcoming Blackstone Valley Conference Cheer Championships to be held on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center.

This year’s event consists of teams from Blackstone Valley including the Darlington Sparkles, the first team comprised of special needs children cheering for American Youth Cheer in New England. They formed last year to open Blackstone Valley’s cheer program to all children and are now joined by the Cumberland Colts in offering a Sparkle program.

The cheering competition event attracts many fans ranging from newcomers to diehards, said Blackstone Valley Youth Football and Cheerleading President William Goodwin.

“Our cheer squads work hard all season to for the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of fans,” said Goodwin. “The Blackstone Valley Cheer Championships are the premier cheerleading event in our area with over 1,000 cheerleaders competing for a chance to challenge cheer squads from all over New England in a major Regional competition to be held in Providence on Nov. 24.”

The top three teams from each level of competition will move on to compete at the New England Regional Cheer and Spirit Championship at the Dunkin Donuts Center next month. More than six dozen teams will vie for the right to travel to Florida for the Cheerleading National Championship in December.

Central Falls Panthers, CLCF Chiefs, Cumberland Colts, Darlington Braves, Fairlawn Cardinals, Johnston Panthers, Lincoln Lions, New Bedford Whalers, North Smithfield Xpress, Providence North End 49ers, Providence Packers, Seekonk Jr. Warriors, South Attleboro White Hawks, West Warwick Steelers and Woonsocket Redskins make up the 2012 Blackstone Valley Youth Football and Cheerleading League.

Doors open at 8 am for this event, and the competition starts at 9 am. Tickets for this event are $15 per person ages 3 and up and free for children under two years old.

They may be purchased either at the Ryan Center Box office or by contacting Bill Goodwin by e-mail at president@blackstonevalleyfootball.com