Officials optimistic about Games' opening night weather
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
Since their start in 1985, the Cornhusker State Games opening ceremonies have never been rained out. So, Friday’s forecast notwithstanding, games officials were optimistic Thursday.
“Unless it’s unsafe, it’s on with the show,” according to Dave Minarik, Cornhusker State Games executive director. “Rain isn’t going to cancel” the opening ceremonies, though the possibility of lightning could.
Skydivers, an acrobatic motorcyclist, fireworks, an astronaut and thousands of athletes.
* If a decision is made to delay or cancel the ceremonies, the decision will be announced on the games’ Web site, www.cornhuskerstategames.com; on JournalStar.com; and on KFOR radio (1240 AM). The ceremonies cannot be moved indoors or to another date.
* Athletes and volunteers are urged to use the Seacrest Field A Street entrance and arrive early for SportFest, which starts at 5 p.m.
* Meal serving and SportFest displays and activities will end at 7:30. There will also be full concessions available at Seacrest Field.
* All persons attending are asked to bring a canned food item for the Food Bank of Lincoln.
All are on the program for Friday night’s opening ceremonies of the 2008 Cornhusker State Games at Seacrest Field.
The 8 p.m. opening, which has drawn 6,000-8,000 people the past two years, will be preceded by SportFest, a pre-opening ceremonies dinner and games.
Admission is free for registered athletes and kids 12 and younger. The cost is $5 at the gate for all others.
The ceremonies will begin with the parade of athletes, led by NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, an Ashland native who recently spent five months on the International Space Station. During SportFest, Anderson will present a slide show chronicling his journey, which included three spacewalks.
About 11,700 athletes have signed up for this year’s games; about 2,000 to 3,000 usually participate in the parade of athletes.
The evening’s headliner is motorcyclist Tommi Ahvala, a former world champion trials rider. Ahvala performs aerial and balance maneuvers atop a mechanical mountain.
Weather providing, skydivers from the Lincoln Sport Parachute Club will bring down the American flag before Omaha recording artist Heidi Joy performs the national anthem.
An annual highlight is the arrival of the mystery torchlighter, usually a noted athlete.
Before and after the SportFest dinner, Ahvala, Anderson and Miss Nebraska USA, Micaela Johnson, will meet and greet athletes and guests.
The games themselves get under way Saturday at more than 70 Lincoln venues and continue through July 27.
The games are a program of the Nebraska Sports Council.
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