As a crowd gathered in Jack Trice Stadium, announcer Larry Cutler welcomed them with an unusual greeting.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2009 Winter — Summer Iowa Games!”

Cutler could have easily mistaken the scene at Jack Trice for the winter games, as a large crowd sported sweatshirts and blankets to witness the opening ceremonies for the 2009 Iowa Summer Games, due to the chilly July weather.

The festivities began with the parade of athletes accompanied by the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps out of Des Moines. Many of the athletes wore a few extras layers during the parade due to the cool weather.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen someone wrapped in a blanket during a parade in July,” said Jim Hallihan, Iowa Games executive director.

Four skydivers from Accelerated Free Fall of Iowa took the field as the parade cleared out. After a race by the mascots of numerous local businesses and sports teams, the rest of the ceremony was turned over to a panel of speakers and presenters, including Hallihan, Ames Mayor Ann Campbell and John McCarroll, executive director of university relations, among others.

Kevin Jackson, head wrestling coach, was the featured speaker. After a few anecdotes about the Olympics and his successes as a wrestler, Jackson reminded the crowd of what the Iowa Games is really about.

“Your goal is to have fun,” Jackson said. “Giving your very best makes you a champion.”

Other speakers not associated with Iowa State or Ames also offered their appreciation of the games.

“If you need a reason why Iowa is so great, look no further than the Iowa Games,” said Mary Van Zante, manager of corporate communications for the Pella Corporation.

After Jackson administered the Iowa Games oaths for athletes, parents and coaches, former ISU basketball player Heather Ezell, and fellow 2008 Iowa Games Athlete of the Year, Ron Peterson, lit the Iowa Games torch in the southeast corner of the stadium. The crowd erupted into applause when Jackson said the words the audience was waiting to hear.

“Let the games begin.”

The crowd was quickly silenced when the lights at Jack Trice cut to reveal a fireworks display southwest of the stadium. They remained silent as cameras flashed and the Olympics theme song blared over the speakers.

The Iowa Games will continue through this weekend and come to a close next weekend. More than 16,000 athletes are expected to participate in the 57 events offered.