In the parking lots just outside Jack Trice Stadium, teams from across the country gathered to celebrate the beginning of the Summer Iowa Games on Friday night.

The Athlete Jamboree, held just before the opening ceremony, featured local food vendors, inflatables, several college mascots and more. Fittingly, one team opted to practice layups and three-pointers at a portable basketball hoop, while another cheered their teammates on in an inflatable obstacle course.

Inside the stadium, family and friends filled the bleachers and eagerly waited for their teams to be recognized. Around 7:45 p.m., participating teams paraded into Jack Trice, each getting a turn in the spotlight on the stadium’s jumbotron.

After the Parade of Athletes and national anthem, three skydivers parachuted into the center of the field, elevating the excitement coming from the stands.

Stepping to the podium, Mayor John Haila welcomed the participants to the 32nd Annual Opening Ceremony of the Summer Iowa Games.

“Now, the games have become part of our summers here in Ames,” Haila said. “Ames and Iowa State University are proud to have been a part of that since its inception. Thank you to each of you: families, athletes, coaches returning to Ames to participate in Iowa Games. Enjoy your weekend, and I wish you success in all of your events.”

Soon after, the Isiserettes, a drill and drum corp from Des Moines, IA, rocked the stadium, pumping up teams for the next couple days of competition.

Then, Drake’s head women’s basketball coach and keynote speaker of the evening, Jennie Baranczyk, imparted some wisdom to the audience. In particular, she shared three lessons that stood out to her in her years as an athlete and coach.

“The first lesson is, if you are competing, give it your all. Be in the moment,” Baranczyk said. “The second lesson is to get better. Any time we get the opportunity to compete, get better. Bring your very best self.”

The last lesson?

“Have fun,” Baranczyk said. “That’s what sports are all about.”

Breaksk8, a break-dancing roller skating group, performed an impressive set of dance moves and even invited athletes to the stage for a dance-off.

Dedicated volunteers and game officials were presented with awards, and prizes were given to lucky crowd winners. Athletes, parents and coaches repeated an oath of sportsmanship lead by Chuck Long, CEO and Executive Director of Iowa Games.

To end the ceremony, the 2017 Iowa Games Male and Female Athletes of the Year, Jim Schon and Sara Schwedinger, carried a torch to light the Iowa Games flame, and fireworks were set off to officially mark the beginning of the Summer Games.