Show-Me State Games to bring thousands to Columbia this weekend
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The annual Show-Me State Games kick off Friday night at Mizzou Arena with a torch-lighting ceremony.
The games are expected to bring thousands of athletes and their supporters to Columbia this weekend and next.
Dana Emerick is one of those visitors. He traveled from Wood River, Illinois, to watch his grandson play baseball.
“His team was here last year. I wasn’t able to make it. So yeah I’ve heard of it but this is my first real experience,” Emerick said.
The nonprofit program hosted by the University of Missouri is designed to provide Missouri residentsof all ages the opportunity to participate in a variety of sports. This weekend will feature 31 different sports ranging from archery to wrestling.
“We really feel like we have something for everybody,” Show-Me State Games Executive Director Dave Fox said.
“I’m surprised how positive everybody is, Emerick added. “I haven’t heard any complaining about the umpires. The parents and the coaches all seem to get it.”
The Show-Me State Games began in 1985 and started with 600 participants. Since then, it has turned into an economic force, expanding to more than 35,000 participants year-round and having a direct economic impact of $6.5 million for Columbia and Boone County, according to data from the Show-Me State Games organizers.
“It’s really a community effort we will have participants. We will have spectators from all four corners of the state of Missouri,” Fox said.
In 2017, the event brought in 101,729 visitors. In 2019, the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau reported more than 20,000 athletes were involved, bringing a total of about 57,000 people to Columbia.
The games were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think we are like a lot of other people trying to get back to where we were pre-pandemic. It’s not easy to do,” Fox said. “Particularly youth sports. There are a lot of events. A lot of tournaments. It’s saturated, in a good way. I’m a proponent of that. But at the same time, we are seeing growth. We have seen some growth this weekend.”
Now that the games are back in full force, travelers can expect increased traffic delays throughout the weekend.
“This weekend and next weekend and there will be a lot of visitors in town there’s no question about it. It’s something we take pride in. Hopefully, the community understands and takes pride in it”
Another large sporting event, the state Little League championships hosted by Daniel Boone Little League, is also in Columbia this weekend, attracting even more visitors.
