MEIJER STATE GAMES OF MICHIGAN 2024 WINTER GAMES
OPENING CEREMONY DETAILS RELEASED
Onsite News Coverage, Parade of Athletes, Torch Light Parade,
Lighting of the Cauldron, and a Fireworks Show!
Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 23rd, 2024 ─ The Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Meijer State Games of Michigan – Winter Games is just over two weeks away. The Opening Ceremony, sponsored by Northern Michigan University, will take place at the Marquette Mountain Resort (4501 M-553, Marquette, MI 49855) on February 9th starting at 6:30 p.m. This event is free to the public.
Official television station of the Meijer State Games of Michigan, WZMQ TV-19, will be covering the Opening Ceremony. News Anchor Sarah Blakely and Sports Anchor Mike Ludlum will be broadcasting the 6:00 p.m. ET news live at the Marquette Mountain chalet leading up to the Opening Ceremony.
Opening Ceremony schedule:
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Athlete Check-In
6:20 p.m.: Parade Line-up
6:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremony Begins
The Opening Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the Parade of Athletes as they walk through the beloved Northern Michigan University Wildcat head.
Directly following the Parade of Athletes, there will be an Introduction of Dignitaries and Olympians. Scheduled to attend is Andy Bisek, a 2016 Olympian and 2014 and 2015 World Championship bronze medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling. Bisek will be available for photos and to sign autographs before the ceremony begins. Other Olympians planning to attend in addition to Bisek are Shane Heams, 2000 Olympic gold medalist in baseball, and Gary Morgan, 1988 Olympic walker. The crowd will then take part in the athlete oath and hear words from sponsor representatives of Meijer and Northern Michigan University.
Following the introduction of dignitaries, there will be a moment to acknowledge and celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which will officially take place nationwide on February 7th. The Meijer State Games of Michigan would not be possible without the contributions made by female sports directors, staff, and of course the girls and women competing in the events themselves.
After recognizing all the girls and women who are part of the Games, the Torch Light Parade starts and the “fire tornado” cauldron will be lit. The end of the ceremony will feature fireworks and closing comments. The Rail Jam competition will begin shortly after.
There are volunteer opportunities during the Opening Ceremony and throughout the Winter Games weekend. Peninsula Fiber Network is the sponsor of the Marquette Winter Games volunteers. Volunteers will receive a free Meijer State Games of Michigan giveaway and free meals (if working over a lunch period) during the Games. For more information please visit: https://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/winter-games-volunteer
The Meijer Winter State Games sponsors include Meijer, Northern Michigan University, Eagle Mine, Peninsula Fiber Network, WZMQ 19, Marquette Mountain Resort, Travel Marquette, Staybridge Suites, Krist Oil, SAIL Disability Network of the Upper Peninsula, and Special Olympics Michigan. The 2024 Marquette Winter Games is co-host by the Great Lakes Sports Commission.
###
ABOUT MEIJER STATE GAMES OF MICHIGAN:
Meijer State Games of Michigan - Winter and Summer Games is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event(s). The Games welcome athletes of all ages and abilities to compete. Each year 50+ sporting events take place and over 8,500 athletes compete in the Meijer State Games of Michigan. Like the Olympics, the State Games feature an Opening Ceremony for athletes. The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a member of the National Congress of State Games and is one of thirty State Games programs in the U.S.