The Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games are officially underway in Steinbach, where hundreds of athletes and spectators took in last night's Opening Ceremonies held on the grounds of Steinbach Regional Secondary School.

Several speeches were given by local dignitaries including Steinbach Mayor Chris Goertzen, Member of Parliament for Provencher Ted Falk, and Premier Brian Pallister. With nearly 1000 volunteers, Pallister says, "Manitoba leads Canada in volunteerism and we have ever since Statistics Canada began to keep that stat. And nowhere do you find more volunteers than in this part of the province of Manitoba."

National and International Champion cheerleading team Scorpion Elite Cheer, and local dancers from Stoney Brook Dance company thrilled the crowd, the official Summer Games Flag was brought in by the Stoney Brook Royal Canadian Air Cadets, and the torch was carried in by local athletes.

The excitement continued through the crowd as the official kick off to the summer games was delivered by Shane Yaschyshyn, Chair of the Manitoba Games Council during the ceremony.

The first events take place today, with the last of the athletes competing Saturday, followed later that day with the Closing Ceremonies.