NC Powerade State Games Opening Ceremonies

A few weeks ago, I photographed the opening ceremonies for the Powerade State Games in Raleigh. The event, much like the Olympics, is a series of amateur athletic events held annually in North Carolina. in 2015, the majority of the events were held in and around Raleigh, NC. Here’s a few highlights from that assignment.

The entrance to the Powerade State Games opening ceremonies at City Plaza in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.

Gymnasts perform during the opening ceremony festivities.

Games participants demonstrate a game of pickleball, one of the sports featured in the event.

Local sponsors, including the Carolina Hurricanes, were present with hands-on demos for participants.

A young attendee attempts a shot at a disc golf hole.

A young attendee attempts a shot at a disc golf hole.

Young taekwondo participants perform during the opening ceremonies.

Young taekwondo participants perform during the opening ceremonies.

Young taekwondo participants perform during the opening ceremonies.

Young taekwondo participants perform during the opening ceremonies.

A local taekwondo athlete breaks a stack of cinderblocks during the opening ceremonies.

Charlotte Hornets’ Kemba Walker was the honored guest at the event. Here, he poses for photos with games participants.

A local performance artist performs during the opening ceremonies

A local performance artist performs during the opening ceremonies

During the event, an attempt was made to break the Guiness World Record of most soda cans opened at one time.

Members of the Carolina Railhawks hold the torch prior to its ignition during the opening ceremonies.

Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets carries the torch towards the cauldron in City Plaza in Downtown Raleigh.

Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets lights the Powerade State Games cauldron as athletes and spectators watch in downtown Raleigh, NC.

The Powerade State Games cauldron burns amid downtown Raleigh, North Carolina’s architecture.

The Powerade State Games cauldron burns amid downtown Raleigh, North Carolina’s architecture.

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