Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and former University of Iowa star Tim Dwight will be in Ames this Friday helping to kick off the 25th annual Iowa Summer Games.

Kim Abels, special events director for the Iowa Sports Foundation, is coordinating the ceremony. Abels has been coordinating the Iowa Games Opening Ceremony for both the summer and winter games since 2004.

“The opening ceremony is similar to the Olympic Opening Ceremony,” Abels said.

The event will start with the Parade of Athletes, which presents the athletes participating in the ceremony to spectators. The U.S. national anthem will then be sung. The anthem will be immediately followed by the landings of four skydivers.

Because this is the 25th anniversary, there will be some special performances.

“This year we have several entertainment acts that will take place during the ceremony, with our featured act being The Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team,” Abels said.

Cory Kennedy, marketing and communications director for the Iowa Sports Foundation, also emphasizes the importance of the anniversary.

“We push the opening ceremony every year, but this year for the 25th anniversary we really tried to make it a major event,” Kennedy said.

Iowa native Shawn Johnson will be the keynote speaker of the ceremony. She will be a major part of the event and will also be available during the Finals Fest right before the ceremony to sign autographs.

“We have been trying to get Johnson on for about three years now,” Kennedy said. “We just could not fit into her schedule.”

“Having Shawn Johnson as the keynote speaker is exciting and special,” Abels said.

Tim Dwight will be leading the annual torch lighting, also adding something special for the 25th anniversary.

“Prior to lighting, he will be passing out the torch to 25-year participants, volunteers, referees and officials,” Kennedy said.

The annual mascot race will also take place during the festivities, and a firework display will conclude the ceremony.

Of course, volunteers are the major reason why special events like these can take place.

“Opening Ceremony Volunteer Coordinator Glen Mente helps the night of the event to make sure the volunteers have their job assignments,” Abels said. “The Ames Noon Rotary Club helps with the ushering of spectators and parade of athletes.”

Finals Fest will be held north of Jack Trice Stadium from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Attendees can get a meal for a voluntary donation. The ceremony will begin at 7:45 p.m. inside Jack Trice Stadium.