Meijer State Games of Michigan Releases 2015 Winter Games Details

The Meijer State Games of Michigan 2015 Winter Games will offer 20 sports with the new additions and are expected to host over 2,000 athletes. The Meijer State Games of Michigan continuously adds events that allow individuals of all ages and ability levels the opportunity to compete.

The main weekend of the Winter Games will take place February 20 - 22, 2015 with opening ceremonies being held February 20 at Cannonsburg Ski & Ride Area (6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Belmont, Mich.) starting at 7 p.m. The Opening Ceremonies festivities will consist of fireworks, lighting of the cauldron and a big air exhibition featuring professional skiers / snowboarders.

Registration for the 2015 Winter Games is now open. For a complete listing of all the sports and how to register, please visit http://www.stategamesofmichigan.com/wintergamesregistration

The 20 sports to be offered include: Indoor Archery, Basketball, Bowling, Indoor BMX, Cross Country Ski, Disc Golf, Fencing, Fatbike, Fencing, Hockey, Pool, Quad Rugby, Racquetball, Rowing Virtual, Shooting Sports - Pistol, Ski and Snowboard, Snowball Softball, Speedskating, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. (See attached document for details on the new sports and venue locations).

“CrossFit Grand Rapids is excited to bring Olympic Weightlifting back to Grand Rapids,” said Sam Parker, Owner at CrossFit Grand Rapids. “We are also very excited to partner with the Meijer State Games of Michigan and are very appreciative of their support in making the event happen.” The Grand Rapids Strength Winter Classic will be the first USAW sanctioned weightlifting meet in Grand Rapids in over 5 years.”

Shooting Sports is a new addition to the 2015 Winter Games sport lineup. The Meijer State Games is working with the Grand Rapids Rifle & Pistol Club to run a pistol event. "We feel that this partnership is a great way to promote our club and shooting sports in Michigan,” said Ron Carr, Director of Membership & Promotion at Grand Rapids Rifle & Pistol Club.

The Meijer State Games of Michigan Winter Games sponsors include: Meijer, Subway, Metro Health, MyWay, Cannonsburg, MC Sports, Peppino’s, The GR Shop, Sibsco, Mercantile Bank, SOS Rehydrate, Heglund Sova Realty, and Marks Photo and Video.

Grand Rapids, Michigan will host the State Games of America in 2017. The State Games of America is a national multi-sport event, held biennially, for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Medal winners from 31 State Games nationwide earn the right to compete against other winners and match their skills and competitive desire in a national arena. For more information on the State Games of America, please visit www.sga2015.com

For more information about the Meijer State Games of Michigan, please visit our website: www.stategamesofmichigan.com

The 2015 new sports additions and confirmed venues:

About the Meijer State Games of Michigan: Modeled after the Olympics, the Meijer State Games of Michigan welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among resident of Michigan. A signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer State Games of Michigan is truly a grassroots organization that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the support of corporate partners. To register for the 2015 Meijer State Games of Michigan, please visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com.

About the State Games of America: State Games of America, a property of the National Congress of State Games, is a national multi-sport event, held biennially, for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Medal winners from 31 State Games nationwide earn the right to compete against other winners and match their skills and competitive desire in a national arena. For more information on the State Games of America, please visit http://www.stategames.org/

About the West Michigan Sports Commission: Established in 2007, the West Michigan Sports Commission has worked with more than 350 events that have brought over 300,000 people into the community and generated an economic impact of more than $100 million from visitor spending.