This weekend, the Show-Me STATE GAMES will begin its twenty-sixth year by kicking off its summer event schedule in June. The inaugural Show-Me STATE GAMES of the Midwest will be held in Columbia June 11-13. The event includes more than ten sports open to athletes in Missouri and throughout the Midwest.
The Show-Me STATE GAMES of the Midwest includes many events previously held during the final weekend of the games, including adult soccer and adult basketball. Other sports to be contested include cross country, lacrosse, youth football, 3v3 Soccerfest, par-3 golf, pickleball, swimming and ballroom dance.
The Show-Me STATE GAMES decided to make these changes to increase participation in these events, with the hopes of eventually making its attendance as large as the July weekends. The Show-Me STATE GAMES, the largest state games in the nation, is on its way to this goal. Projected participation for the weekend’s events, including the Missouri State Senior Games, is 6,500 athletes.
“Through this new weekend, we are growing these events and providing opportunities for health, fitness, family and fun for even more Missourians and individuals throughout the region,” said Ken Ash, Executive Director of the Show-Me STATE GAMES.
The Missouri State Senior Games, also hosted by the Show-Me STATE GAMES, will be contested this same weekend, although the events are separate. In the span of just a few days, senior athletes from across the state will compete in about 25 events in the Missouri State Senior Games. One of these athletes will be Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, who for the second consecutive year, will participate in the basketball skills competition.