The Show-Me State Games and Shelter Insurance® are hosting a Torch Lighting Ceremony and Run on Tuesday, April 22, in preparation for the 2014 Show-Me STATE GAMES. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Mill Creek Park.
The event will begin with a brief Torch Lighting Ceremony at 1:30 p.m., including speakers from the Show-Me State Games and Shelter Insurance®, as well as Parks and Recreation Director Mark McHenry and event master of ceremonies, Michelle Bogowith. Also in attendance will be Show-Me STATE GAMES Female Athlete of the Year Taileena Oja. Oja was also named the National Congress of State Games Youth Athlete of the Year and was profiled in Sports Illustrated. Kansas City residents will bring the torch through the Country Club Plaza.
The mission of the Shelter Insurance® Show-Me State Games Torch Run is to generate exposure and enthusiasm for the Show-Me State Games throughout Missouri. The Show-Me State Games is an Olympic-style sports festival offering more than 40 events for all ages and ability levels. The 30th anniversary Games will take place on June 20-22, July 18-20 and July 25-27 in Columbia, Mo.
The torch will be traveling across Missouri during the months leading up to the Games. The full schedule includes: Springfield on April 8, Joplin on April 9, Kansas City on April 22, Hannibal on April 25, St. Louis on April 29 and St. Charles on April 30. The Torch will be run in Jefferson City and Columbia on July 18, finally reaching its final destination – the Hearnes Center – for the Opening Ceremonies kicking off at 7 p.m.
The Show-Me State Games was established in 1985 as a non-profit program of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Health. Now the largest state games in the nation, the Show-Me State Games is hosted by the University of Missouri. In addition to the summer games, the Show-Me State Games offers events throughout the year to promote health, fitness, family and fun.
For more information on registration for the torch run or Games, you can visit www.smsg.org.