ST. GEORGE – Athletes, volunteers and the local community packed Hansen Stadium Tuesday night to enjoy the grandeur of the Huntsman World Senior Games opening ceremonies.
The ceremonies started at 7 p.m. with the parade of athletes, a Senior Games tradition that filled the entire stadium field. Games CEO Kyle Case delivered opening remarks, after which St. George City Councilman Jon Pike offered a prayer.
John Morgan, Jr., the founder of the Games, took the stage next to share his story of searching for benefactors in the event’s early years. He approached the Huntsman family asking for $10,000. Not only did they provide $100,000, but Jon M. Huntsman became the event’s principal sponsor and a driving influence in growing Morgan’s vision into a renowned international event.
With the aid of the audience, Huntsman family representative Paul Huntsman and Pike sang “Happy Birthday” to Morgan, who turns 90 on Friday.
“We have such gratitude for this community and all the amazing volunteers who make this event happen year after year,” Paul Huntsman said.
Swimmer Jason Lezak, the keynote speaker, captivated listeners with his story of the challenges and triumphs of qualifying for four different Olympics and winning eight medals. Melinda Larson and her Diamond Talent students provided entertainment with a colorful musical show that combined classic and modern styles.
Other highlights included the parade of flags, representing all the countries with athletes in this year’s Games, and a warm welcome from Councilman Jimmie Hughes on behalf of the City of St. George. The gravelly and commanding voice of emcee Dick Norris kept the ceremonies moving along.
“This is a great event that allows 50-plus people to experience a professional and competitive atmosphere,” racquetball athlete Andrew Faga said.
At the culmination of the ceremonies, Lezak ran the Senior Games torch into Hansen Stadium and passed it to Morgan. The traditional cauldron lighting was received with robust applause from the audience, followed by a dazzling fireworks show.
“It was a wonderful ceremony, just lovely,” softball athlete Karen Blackman said. “St. George always puts on a great show for all us athletes.”
More than 10,000 athletes from all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., along with 21 other countries, are participating in this year’s Games, aided by a team of about 2,500 volunteers. They will compete in 27 sports through Oct. 19.
For more information on the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, visit the official website.
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Diamond Talent performs at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Diamond Talent performs at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Diamond Talent performs at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak, keynote speaker of the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Fireworks conclude the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Cauldron lighting at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Cowboy action shooting competitors, parade of athletes at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Dick Norris, emcee of the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Competitors from Barbados, parade of athletes at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Hansen Stadium is filled for the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Diamond Talent performs at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Diamond Talent performs at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Parade of flags at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Parade of flags at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Parade of flags at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Games founder John Morgan, Jr. speaks at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Diamond Talent performs at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Cauldron lighting at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Diamond Talent performs at the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News Hansen Stadium is filled for the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 8, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News
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Fireworks were lame! Where the woman supposed to be butterflies, bats or a reenactment scene of Mothra versus Godzilla?
Really Kaboom?? Out of all the good the Huntsman Games provides for the athletes and the community…that is all you have to say?? Sad that you have nothing positive to say!! Countless volunteer hours from parents and Diamond Talent students were spent on this show. Brian and Melinda Larsen have spent hours and hours choreographing the opening ceremonies and they did a fantastic job!! Thank you STG News for the fantastic pictures and awesome write up!! I pity the sad negative world you love in Kaboom!! My daughter is a proud Diamond Talent student who loves performing in the Huntsman Game opening ceremonies and this year I got to be a proud parent wearing the “moth/Godzilla” flags!! Just for the record Kaboom they were body flags representing the countries whi participate in the games, but I guess you were you busy looking at the negative to pay attention to that.
OMG the program was wonderful and full of energy . The Larson’s of Diamond Talent did an outstanding job with this performance of highly talented group of people. . Thank You Diamond Talent for a wonderful evening. For the person who commented about the women wearing butterflie costumes, come on, are you serious? Anyone who was there at this event, knew the women wearing ‘butterflies’ were the flags of 66 coulries that were representatived . The phographer did a great job capturing this special event. The writer representatived St. George Senior Games wonderfully. Good job STGNEWS for the outstanding coverage of this special event.
As a director for the Huntsman World Senior Games it is obvious this person does nothing to support the games and cant enjoy the entertainment provided by volunteers at no extra charge to the athletes or public. The countless hours that go into providing seniors the opportunity to enrich their lives and the lives of others will not wasted on petty mentality. Next year STAY HOME!