The 34^th Annual Show-Me State Games continues its summer schedule of events this weekend on Friday, July 20. Featuring more than 40 sporting competitions and special events, the Show-Me State Games is for Missourians of all ages and skill levels and is the largest state games in the nation.

Here are some highlights of this weekend’s events:

Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Conference

The Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Conference strives to emphasize the importance of higher education as well as leadership among high school students from across the state who attend the event free of charge thanks to the generosity of Audrey Walton. The 2018 Audrey Walton Conference is scheduled to begin Thursday, July 19 and will continue through Saturday, July 21 at the University of Missouri.

More than 40 sports

In total, this year the GAMES is offering more than 40 sports, and athletes can still register for several sports onsite including Powerlifing, Wrestling, 3D archery, Cycling, Martial Arts, Triathlon, Disc Golf, Fencing, Judo, Target Archery, Mountain Biking, 5K/10K Road Race/Race Walk and Shooting events.

Although there are no new summer events, the Games added two new events to its 2018 schedule, the Inaugural SMSG MoNASP State Qualifier, which brought more than 800 archers from 40 schools in February as well as Spring Slam Volleyball which had 25 teams. The Games also had more than 150 teams compete in winter basketball events.

Shelter Insurance® Torch Run Events

Jefferson City: Event begins at 11 a.m. at the Governor’s Garden. Runners will bring the torch through a mile route in downtown Jefferson City.

Columbia: The Torch will be run from Jesse Hall to Shelter Insurance, for a final celebration of the 2018 Torch Run, with the ceremony starting at 3:30 p.m. at Shelter Insurance.

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at Mizzou Arena and will feature several athletes from the University of Missouri –  Drew Lock, Sophie Cunningham, Kevin Puryear and Riley Sents.  In addition, Miss Missouri, Katelyn Lewis, will be in attendance. The event is free and open to the public and includes the parade of athletes as well as the lighting of the cauldron. If interested in joining the parade, please meet at Mizzou Arena at the front entrance at 6:30 p.m. and there will be volunteers to line everyone up.

Stay Safe In the Heat

MU Health Care emergency medical crews and Missouri Orthopaedic Institute athletic trainers will be available at various events.  University of Missouri Health Care also makes heat safety tips available for Show-Me State Games participants, volunteers, spectators and officials.  The tips can be found on the SMSG website here  https://www.smsg.org/2018/stay-safe-in-the-heat/  and in the free souvenir program.

You can read about some SMSG athletes who will be attending here, and view the schedule for July 20-22.

For more information on the above events or for details about the more than 40 sports offered by the Show-Me State Games, visit  www.smsg.org. Call Emily at 573-882-2105 or 314-808-6047 with any media inquiries.