MEIJER STATE GAMES OF MICHIGAN 15TH ANNUAL
SUMMER GAMES OPENING CEREMONY DETAILS RELEASED
Celebration Includes Parade of Athletes, Olympic Guest Speakers Mackenzie Woodring and Nick Baumgartner, Cauldron Lighting and Entertainment
Grand Rapids, Mich., June 10, 2024 - As people anticipate the fanfare of the 2024 Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony, a local Olympic-style celebration will take place this summer right in West Michigan - the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Meijer State Games of Michigan - Summer Games. This free event open to the public takes place at the Meijer Sports Complex (3300 10 Mile Road NE, Rockford 49341) June 21 at 7:30 to 9 p.m.
“This is a particularly special year for the Meijer State Games of Michigan as we celebrate the event’s 15th anniversary, which kicks off with an evening of celebration open to the public with our Opening Ceremony,” said Julie Cullen, director of the Meijer State Games of Michigan. “With everyone excited about Paris 2024, we can celebrate Olympic fever here in Michigan with an event featuring Olympic athletes, an athlete parade, and the lighting of the cauldron. You won’t want to miss it.”
The Opening Ceremony kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with the Parade of the Athletes showcasing hundreds of athletes participating in 40 sports lined up behind their event’s banners and walking around the track to be recognized. Following the Parade of Athletes, the National Anthem will be sung by Dale Hicks of The Dale Hicks band. Afterward, Michigan-born Paralympian Mackenzie Woodring and Olympian Nick Baumgartner will speak as the guest keynoters.
An accomplished Paralympian and World Champion cyclist, West Michigan native Mackenzie competed in the 2008 and 2016 Paralympics, earning gold, silver, and bronze medals. She also won four medals at the World Championships, with three being gold. Four-time Olympian and Iron Mountain resident Baumgartner has been on the U.S. Snowboard team for the past 20 years. He took home gold in 2022 at the Beijing Winter Olympics in the snowboardcross mixed team event, making him the oldest Olympic snowboarder to stand on the top of the podium. Additionally, he is an X-Games gold and silver medalist. Baumgartner will lead the crowd through the oath of athletes, an important reminder of the pillars of honoring themselves and their teammates, competing fairly, and the camaraderie of sportsmanship.
Following the guest speakers, entertainment will be provided by Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act, known for his performances on “America’s Got Talent,” “Ripley’s Believe it or Not,” “The Go Big Show,” NBA halftime shows, and more. Tyler’s act will be a “balance” of entertainment, humor, and excitement. The Opening Ceremony concludes with the lighting of the cauldron and closing comments.
Opening Ceremony schedule:
6:30 p.m.: Gates open to the public
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Kickoff party for athletes
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.: VIP reception
7:20 – 7:30 p.m.: Athletes line up for the parade of athletes
7:30 – 9 p.m.: Opening Ceremony
Athlete Participation Information
Prior to the Opening Ceremony will be a kickoff party for athletes at 6:30 p.m. that includes athlete credentials and bag pick up, raffle, bracelet making, vendors, and more.
At the athlete bag pick up and check-in, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, each participant will receive one free ticket to enter the raffle with additional tickets available for purchase for athletes and non-participants. Winners will be announced during the Opening Ceremony and must be present to win. Raffle prizes have been donated from a variety of West Michigan businesses, including Meijer, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, West Michigan Whitecaps, Kendra Scott, Brush Studio, Mancino’s Pizzas and Grinders, Grand City Tanning, Great Escape Room, and Brewery Vivant.
A “Champion Bracelet” tent also will be set up for participants and their families and friends to create their own bracelets. All supplies will be provided for free, and the first 200 athletes to create one will receive a free commemorative Meijer State Games of Michigan charm.
Official Meijer State Games of Michigan - Summer Games t-shirts are available for purchase onsite at Opening Ceremony and online. Sizes range from Extra Small to 3XL. To preorder merchandise, visit: stategamesofmichigan.com/summer-games-merchandise
Volunteer Opportunities
The Meijer State Games of Michigan would not be possible without its many volunteers. As sponsor of the Volunteer of the Year program, Lake Michigan Credit Union will award the 2023 volunteer of the year, Shari Hoke, her Volunteer of the Year trophy during the Opening Ceremony.
There are many volunteer opportunities during the opening ceremony and throughout the Summer and Winter Games weekends. Volunteers receive a free Meijer State Games of Michigan t-shirt and free meals if working over a lunch period during the Games. For more information, visit: stategamesofmichigan.com/summer-games-volunteer.
Sponsors
Sponsors of the Meijer State Games of Michigan - Summer Games include title sponsor Meijer; gold sponsors Lake Michigan Credit Union and NovaCare; silver sponsors Blue Cross Blue Shield and Fox Motors; bronze sponsors Lacks Enterprises Inc., Peppino’s, fairlife and Tele-Rad; and supporting sponsors Life EMS, Michigan Fitness Foundation and Experience Grand Rapids.
ABOUT THE MEIJER STATE GAMES OF MICHIGAN
The Meijer State Games of Michigan is a multi-sport, Olympic-style event. In its 15th year, 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 features an opening ceremony for athletes. The flagship event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer State Games of Michigan is a member of the National Congress of State Games and is one of 30 State Games programs in the United States. Since 2010, the Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted over 110,000 athletes and contributed more than $42 million in estimated economic impact. For more information, visit www.StateGamesOfMichigan.com.