The 3-day event is projected to impact 8 to 10 million to the economy
Texas Border Business –
By J.C. Cruz,
The 31st Annual Summer Games of Texas are set to begin July 29th in McAllen, Texas, this year. The games are part of a continuing series of amateur sports festivals administered by the Texas Amateur Athletes Association.
Joe Brown, longtime resident and former banking executive in the Rio Grande Valley, is the event organizer assisting the city of McAllen in its preparations. Rick Krauss, superintendent of parks and recreation for the City of McAllen, is working alongside Joe Brown and a host of other organizers to ensure a successful outcome for the summer games.
“We’ve secured the generous sponsorship of many Valley businesses and non-profit organizations,” Joe Brown told Texas Border Business. He anticipates water for athletes and officiants will prove to be an interesting challenge for the organizers. “Last year’s host said they saw 67,000 bottles of water and a whole truckload of ice,” Joe said. “So we’re looking for support in this area.” Sponsorship opportunities, such as those for Track and Field and food for volunteers, are still available.
With 18 sporting events planned for the festival, event organizers anticipate the games will attract more than 10,000 athletes and competitors as well as an additional 12,000 support personnel, coaches, referees, family members, city governments, and visitors, making it the single largest event in McAllen’s history.
They anticipate needing as many as 1,500 volunteers to support the 3-day event. Organizers, in consultation with economic forecasters, estimate the entire event will have a total economic impact of $8 to $10 million.
The festival begins at 5 PM on July 29th, a Friday, with what is anticipated to be a memorable grand opening ceremony taking place at the McAllen Convention Center, and concluding on Sunday. Families and residents across the Valley are invited to the McAllen Convention Center as early as Friday afternoon to enjoy the festival’s live music, local foods, games for the kids, and pedal boat rides.
Sporting events will take place at sports venues, courses, tracks, and complexes across McAllen and select cities beyond. Events will include Archery, Basketball, Boxing, Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Cycling, Disc Golf, Golf, Pickleball, Soccer, Table Tennis (to be held in Harlingen), Girls Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling. Skateboarding competition will occur July 30th at the Brownsville Sports Park in Brownsville, Texas.
The Texas Amateur Athlete Federation awards its hosting rights to cities on a bi-annual calendar, meaning the Summer Games of Texas will return to McAllen, Texas, July 27th through the 30th in 2017.
The Games of Texas was originally organized in 1986 in San Antonio, Texas, in the tradition of the Olympics, with the intention of offering greater sporting opportunities for athletes across the State. The original games consisted of ten sporting events and have since grown to nearly twice that number. Texas cities compete for the chance to host the event and this was McAllen’s first big win.
To register as a participant in one or more of the sporting events taking place during the Summer Games of Texas, visit the TAAF website at www.TAAF.com. Registration is now open for individuals and teams, and fees will vary for each sporting event. Some events require individual qualification to compete. Volunteers will be able to register via www.EventBrite.com in the coming days. TBB
This link will take you to a complete itinerary of the Games Valley wide.
