Inaugural Maine Games scheduled for June

After years of work and several failed attempts, the Maine Games will become a reality in June.

Sean Casey of Bangor, President of the Maine Games, said the games will take place in Portland on the weekends of June 21-22 and 28-29.

Organizers anticipate 3,000 athletes with varying levels of ability will participate in the games.

“They’re for everyone from serious competitors to people who just want to get off their duffs,” Casey said.

People wishing to participate in the Olympic-style sports festival can choose from 12 individual and team disciplines: basketball, baton twirling, ice hockey, lacrosse, orienteering, racquetball, swimming, track and field, ultimate Frisbee, volkswalk, volleyball and wrestling.

The games are open to all age groups, although some sports, such as ice hockey, will be age specific for students in grades 7-to-12.

“Swimming will attract a wide range but primarily the majority will be high school students,” Casey said.

The games are being held in Portland because organizers where able to find enough corporate sponsorship to get the seed money to get the games started.

“Other people have tried to get the games going but were unable to come up with the funding,” Casey said.

Casey hopes sponsorship money can be found that would allow future games to be more centrally located in the state.

“Sponsorship for the games is still being pursued as it is a costly undertaking,” Casey said. “Even though it’s being held in the Portland area for our first year, we think it still benefits the state as a whole because all of our residents are eligible.”

Casey held the rights to the games and then joined forces with Jeff Scully of Saco in working to organize and fund the project.

Maine becomes the 41st state to hold a state games. Casey said organizers of the Maine Games will use the successful Bay State Games in Massachusetts as a model.

“They are what we aspire to be. They use 14 college campuses for their venues. They have an economic impact of $5 million on the state,” Casey said.

The Maine Games falls under the National Congress of State Games. Competitors at the Maine Games can qualify for the national games that will be held in August in Hartford, Conn.

Casey hopes to add several sports each year to the summer games and eventually add a winter games.

“What I would like to see is that we have sports specific to the season,” Casey said.

Organizers will begin accepting registration for the games on April 15. People wishing to participate can register by calling toll free 1-877-MEGAMES (634-2637) or on the Internet at the www.mainegames.org. Registration fees range from $30 to $50. In some instances a team fee is required.