LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (WCAX) – More than 2,000 athletes from as far away as Minnesota, to as close as Vermont are descending on the Adirondacks for the 44th annual Empire State Games.
There are a few new events this year, like the Winter Triathlon, which is taking place in Tupper Lake.
Thursday’s opening ceremony also has a new location at the Herb Brook’s Ice Arena starting at 6:30.
Officials say the sports event is a great way to highlight North Country communities. “We love hosting events like this. We love to boast about the venues that we have, the community that we have, share with the visitors what makes Lake Placid, what makes the North Country so great,” said the event’s Jon Lundin.
The games run until Sunday and all events are free to the public except for alpine racing at Whiteface Mountain.