The 18th annual Iowa Summer Games are scheduled to take place this weekend, and the opening ceremonies will kick off the four-weekend event Friday night at Jack Trice Stadium.

Kevin Bourke, director of sports and operations for the Iowa Sports Foundation, said ceremonies will begin Friday afternoon in Des Moines with the traditional torch run.

He said Rulon Gardner, an Olympic gold medal wrestler, plans to hand off the torch to the first runner at the U.S. Bank in downtown Des Moines.

From there, the 40 runners will travel up Highway 69 toward Ames to Jack Trice Stadium. He anticipates it should take the runners six hours to make the 30-mile trip.

Taking place before the opening ceremonies is the Finals Fest where pizza will be available, as well as a number of games and activities for the whole family.

“It’s a great event for the whole family just because there is something for everyone,” said Erin Cottington, communications and media relations coordinator. “I think it’s just going to be a great time.”

Executive Director Jim Hallihan said Friday will be a huge day with the torch run, the opening ceremonies and the Finals Fest.

“The highlights are always the skydivers, obviously Rulon’s speech and then the parade of athletes,” he said.

Once the torch makes it to Ames, it will be carried into Jack Trice where the cauldron will be lit and Gardner will give his speech. Skydivers will fly in with the American flag during the national anthem, the athletes will walk in a parade and Gardner will then lead the athletes in their oath followed by the parent’s and coach’s oaths.

On Saturday night, Hallihan said Family Night will take place at the Scheman Building. He said there will be a teenager dance in the courtyard while the parents will have their own inside, complete with retro and disco music.

“I’m looking forward to that,” Hallihan said.

“That’s getting back to my old days.”

Hallihan also said the auditorium in Scheman will be used to show a movie for the parents and children not interested in dancing.

Two chapel services will be held Sunday morning, Hallihan said, for participants who can’t make it to church.

He said those will be held in front of the Jacobson Athletic Building in parking lot B6 at 9 and 11 a.m.