2023 Huntsman World Senior Games flashes ‘new energy’ during colorful opening ceremony

Written by E. George Goold
October 11, 2023

ST. GEORGE — The 36th annual Huntsman World Senior Games kicked off Tuesday night with a celebratory gala at Burns Arena on the campus of Utah Tech University.

CEO Kyle Case raps about the games during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Huntsman World Senior Games, St. George, Utah, Oct. 10, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

CEO Kyle Case told the crowd of athletes and families that they were in for a “new energy” and to prove it he kicked off the show by rapping a senior games-themed song to a tune from the Broadway hit show Hamilton.

Part of that new energy was holding the celebration in the climate-controlled coolness at Burns Arena, shifting away from the outdoor venue at Greater Zion Stadium, which hosted the event the previous two years.

Senior athletes from around the country and the world took part in the grand parade of athletes, followed by the presentation of the colors by local Scout Troop #42.

Dixie High student Sarah Osness led the crowd in a rousing rendition of the national anthem and Reverend Derek DeToni-Hill of Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church in Tonaquint gave the opening benediction, based on Louis Armstrong’s famous song, “What a Wonderful World.”

St. George Mayor Michele Randall spoke to the audience as did Jennifer Parkin, representing the Huntsman family.

Special guest speaker Charlotte Sanddal, the oldest athlete in the games at 101, gave an inspirational recorded message from the Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City, where treatment will make her appearance at this year’s games impossible. 

The show’s centerpiece was a performance by Brigham Young University’s International Folk Dance Ensemble.

And the show concluded with the flag extravaganza by Utah Tech Fusion and a laser light show by Dynamic Fx, LLC.

The Huntsman World Senior Games are the largest annual multi-sport event in the world for athletes aged 50 and over. Athletes compete in over 30 different sports at numerous venues in and around St. George.

Events started Monday and continue through Oct. 21. Visit the games’ website for a complete schedule and results.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. He graduated with a master's degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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