Kickoff Party and Opening Ceremony

Join us June 20th at the Meijer Sports Complex for the 2025 Kickoff Party and Opening Ceremony! The Opening Ceremony will begin with the athlete parade to recognize the athletes getting ready to compete. We’ll officially start the Games with the lighting of the cauldron.

Admission: Free for athletes and spectators
Parking at the Meijer Sports Complex cost is TBD
Note: Parking is NOT available at the Miracle League Field. The lot will not be open to athletes and spectators.

Kickoff Party starts at 6:30 pm.
Opening Ceremony start at 7:30 pm

Meijer Sports Complex
3300 10 Mile Rd NE
Rockford, MI 49341

Kickoff Party

Athlete Check-in sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield

Athletes stop by athlete check-in to grab your athlete bag and credential.

Hockey athletes - you will get your bag and credential when you check in for your first game at your venue.

Note: you do not need to stop by athlete check-in to compete during the weekend.

More information regarding athlete check-in and the kickoff party to come.

Opening Ceremony

Athlete parade line up will start at 7:15 pm (announcements will be made) and the Opening Ceremony starts at 7:30 pm.

Athlete Parade

Athletes have the opportunity to represent their sport as they parade into Opening Ceremony. Entrance into Opening Ceremony will be done in sport alphabetical order.

Tnt dunk squad

In 2025, we are excited to bring in the TNT Dunk Squad to wow at the Opening Ceremony and kick off our main weekend of events! They have performed and dunked everywhere, including the NBA All Star Game/Jam Session, the Olympic Games, NCAA Final Four, L.A. Lakers playoff games, and more. They are sure to bring the action and impress all with their dunks and stunts.

Keynote speaker - tia brooks-wannemacher, 2022 Olympic Gold Medalist

Tia Brooks-Wannemacher was a prolific shot putter, hailing from right outside of Grand Rapids as a graduate of East Kentwood High School. After high school, Brooks-Wannemacher went on to compete at the University of Oklahoma. While there, she experienced a significant injury with a degenerative disc disorder, but she rehabbed and continued throwing. Her hard work paid off, as she won shot put at both the 2012 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor National Championships, earning her All-American status.

In 2012, Brooks-Wannemacher ended up finishing in third place at the US Olympic Trials, landing her a spot of the roster to compete at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Currently, Brooks-Wannemacher resides in Grand Rapids with her partner, Stacey Brooks-Wannemacher, who is also an accomplished shot putter from Purdue University, and their family.

Lighting of the Cauldron

The Summer Games will officially kick off as the torch enters the stadium and the cauldron is lit. Join us June 20 to see Olympian Tia Brooks-Wannemacher light the cauldron and start Summer Games!

Past cauldron lighters have included Grand Rapids Rise player Claire Chaussee, Michigan State University basketball coach Tom Izzo, WoodTV reporter Jack Doles, Olympian Nick Baumgartner, Paralympian Mackenzie Woodring, Olympian Dick Fosbury, and more!

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