AMES, IOWA (July 18, 2019) — The 2019 Summer Iowa Games will officially kick-off on Friday, July 19, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. The Opening Ceremony will feature Aaron Thomas, Aplington-Parkersburg Principal and Head Basketball Coach, as the keynote speaker. Thomas has a passion for impacting lives, and public-speaking is one avenue he utilizes. Thomas' father Ed was a beloved high-school football-coach who not only trained generations of players on the importance of hard work, dedication, excellence, and commitment, but personally put these values into action when he was the community leader who inspired his town to rebuild in the wake of a deadly EF 5 tornado in 2009. Not long after the community withstood the disaster of the storm, the small town of Parkersburg, Iowa, endured a far worse tragedy: The fatal shooting of Ed Thomas by a former player with some mental-health issues. "We are thrilled to have Aaron speak at the Opening Ceremony," commented Chuck Long, CEO/Executive Director. "His message will really connect with our athletes and coaches." The Ceremony will consist of a parade of athletes, The National Anthem, entertaining performances, the arrival of the torch, the lighting of the cauldron, and will conclude with a fireworks display. Other performances and entertainment will include Flight Crew Jump Rope, which includes Lee Reisig, professional jump-roper. Reisig has been featured on "America's Best Dance Crew" and "America's Got Talent". Also included in the evening will be the presentation of the Official and Volunteer of the Year. The cost is free for athletes and coaches participating in the Summer Iowa Games; $5 for ages 13 and over; and $2 for ages 12 and under. All proceeds will benefit Adaptive Sports Iowa. Gates will open to Jack Trice Stadium at 7:15PM. Prior to the Opening Ceremony is the Athlete Jamboree, which will feature inflatables, local food trucks, local entertainment, and more. This event is free and open to the public from 5:30-7:45PM.
Opening Ceremony tickets will be available for purchase inside the Sukup South Endzone, 5:30-7:45PM, as well as outside the Southeast Gate (Gate 3) at Jack Trice, 6:45-7:45PM. For complete details and Iowa Games event information, visit www.iowagames.org. Help us celebrate the Iowa Games at the Opening Ceremony and Athlete Jamboree. About the Iowa Games The mission of the Iowa Games is to provide sports and recreation opportunities for all Iowans through Olympic-style festivals, events, and programs. The Iowa Games is a program of the Iowa Sports Foundation. About the Iowa Sports Foundation The Iowa Sports Foundation (ISF) was founded in 1986 as a 501(c)3 non-profit entity with the mission to provide sports, recreation, health, and wellness opportunities for Iowans of all abilities. The ISF is comprised of the Iowa Games, Live Healthy Iowa, Adaptive Sports Iowa, Iowa Seniors Games, and the Corporate Games.
