Show-Me State Games begin in Columbia Friday
Keriana Gamboa
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The annual Show-Me State Games kicks off Friday and is expected to bring thousands of athletes and their families to Columbia.
Columbia city leaders say they expect the games to generate millions of dollars over the course of the two weekends.
The City of Columbia is expecting the games to boost tourist activity in the city. City leaders authorized $20,000 from the Tourism Development Fund for the 2025 Missouri Senior Games and Show-Me State Games.
According to a city council memo, the thousands of people coming to Columbia will result in significant tourist activity. Overnight stays, restaurant visits and shopping would mark a positive economic boost for the City of Columbia.
Megan McConachie, Communications & Outreach Supervisor for the City of Columbia, says they areanticipating 8,000-10,000 people visit Columbia during the event.
“They’re paying that local sales tax. And so that goes into city services, whether it’s fixing our streets, whether it’s improving other infrastructure. So when tourists come to Columbia, they spend their money, and that helps support services that we as residents get to enjoy all year long,” McConachie said.
Dustin Conner and Bryan Bradley — who are dads of some of the participants from Urich, Missouri — traveled to Boone County for the games.
“It’s a long time ago when I was over here. S it’s really grown a lot. A lot. There’s always more and more people that come every year. They get more and more teams. Not to mention we’re both diehard Missouri fans, so it makes it easy coming to Columbia whenever we can,” Connor said.
They say they’ve been coming since they were young and are now bringing their daughters.
“This is an awesome experience for our girls to be a part of,” Bradley said.
“Just to see our daughters and all these kids light up. It’s well worth it. I spend any amount of money, it wouldn’t matter to me,” Conner said.
The games are expected to bring around 15,000 athletes and their families to participate in more than 40 sports. In 2024, about 40,000 people attended the games.
The $20,000 spent by the city is going toward medals, advertising, officials and site fees for where the games will be played.
According to city documents, more than 5,000 hotel rooms were booked for the 2024 SMSG.
Mizzou Arena was the site of the games’ opening ceremony. Activities will continue Saturday.
Baseball: 8 am Rainbow Complex
Basketball: 8 am Columbia Sports Fieldhouse, Columba College, Mizzou Rec Center
Cycling: 19mile/28mile 8: a.m./10:15am Hatton McCredie Elementary
Golf: Parent-Child 8 a.m. A.L. Gustin
Soccer: 8 a.m. Cosmo Park
Softball, Fast Pitch: 8 a.m. Antimi
Rugby 8 a.m. Gans Creek
Track and Field: 8 a.m. Battle High School
Wrestling: 8 a.m. Hearnes Center
Tennis Adult Singles/Doubles: 8:30 a.m. Cosmo Bethel Park
Volleyball: 8:30 a.m. Battle High School
Mini Golf: 9 a.m.-noon Midway Golf Complex
Fencing: 9 a.m. Smithton Middle School
Shooting Sport Clays/ 5 Stand 9:00am Prairie Grove Shotgun Sports
Judo: 10:30 a.m. Lange Middle School
Mini Golf: Noon-9 p.m. Midway Golf Complex
Shooting Youth Small Rifle: Noon Ammo Alley
Heat Safety
The ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather Team issued a Weather Alert Day for extreme heat from July 19-24, people will want to be made aware of some heat-related risks during the SMSG.
According to Mayo Clinic, Heat-borne illness can take effect within 15 minutes, with common symptoms including nausea, a high heart rate and feeling faint or dizzy. Individuals experiencing these symptoms should drink water and seek shelter indoors.
Heat stroke, which can be fatal, also includes symptoms of a high body temperature over 100 degrees, no sweating and a headache. 911 should be called immediately, and the person should be moved to a cooler area until help arrives.
Ways to avoid heat-borne illnesses include wearing light clothing, drinking plenty of water and avoiding strenuous activities outside during peak temperatures. It’s also recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid sunburn.