TRI State Games athletes paraded through the streets of Horsham on Monday as the 31st running of the games began.
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More than 400 athletes made their way from St Andrew’s Uniting Church past cheering onlookers on the way to May Park.
Once all the athletes and the supporters arrived at the park, the games were officially opened as the flag was raised by Horsham Rockets athlete Sharon Creasey.
Maureen Cameron sang the national anthem with assistance from the Horsham Primary signing choir before Tom Leembruggen and Jason Perkins read the athletes pledge.
Organising committee member Suzy Shaw said the parade started the week well.
“With people lining the streets and all the new teams walking in their first procession, everybody was happy,” she said.
“You find where happiness lives when you come to these games.”
Athletes began competing on Monday afternoon in the team sports, before the swimming started on Tuesday.
The athletes have a rest day on Wednesday before competing in athletics and indoor sports on Thursday and Friday.
St Kilda player Seb Ross will be a special guest on the final two days.
Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Peter Brown welcomed the competitors and their support staff to Horsham before asking an excited crowd who was going to win medals.
He said the games brought a lot to the community.
“There is a lot of benefit from it,” he said.
“Our community gets really strongly involved and we’ve seen that here before with things like the awakening festival.
“Having the community involved in these sorts of things is really good.”
The benefit for the athletes is also key to the games, with five teams from around Horsham; the Horsham Rockets, Horsham Heat, Horsham Giants, Grampians Hotshots and Axis Works.
“The athletes love it, they really get into it,” Mr Brown said.
“They love winning medals and just doing whatever they can to the best of their abilities.”
It is the second straight year Horsham has hosted the games. The games will return for a third time in 2017.
Ms Shaw said it was support from the community and volunteers that made the games possible.
“There is a marvellous amount of volunteers,” she said.
“That’s what makes this happen. That’s where Horsham really stand up and it’s well worth it.
“These smiling faces will be here all week and they’ll collect medals as the week goes on before partying every night. Then it’s time to start practice for next year.”
