News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMARCH 20, 2008
Commissioner Farmer and Mayor Newberry Announce new plans for the get healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games
LEXINGTON, KY.—Mayor Jim Newberry and Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer today announced a new sponsorship by Kentucky Proud, the new location for the opening ceremonies, and new sports added to this year’s Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games presented by Subway.
“The Games are a great opportunity for amateur athletes to compete, have fun and practice healthier lifestyles. In addition, the events are expected to have an economic impact of $6 million on Central Kentucky,” said Newberry. “With exciting new sponsors, new sports and even a new mascot, the Games will be better than ever before.”
The Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games will take place in Central Kentucky July 18-20, July 26-27 and Aug. 1-3. The “Celebration of Athletes” opening ceremonies will take place at Applebee’s Park on July 18.
They hope to fuel excitement and increase awareness of the state’s largest amateur sporting event as an opportunity for all citizens of the Commonwealth to train, condition and begin living healthy lifestyles.
“I have a passion for the Bluegrass State Games and for a Healthy Kentucky,” said Farmer. “I also know how passionate Kentuckians are about their sports. On behalf of Kentucky Proud, I challenge the citizens of the Commonwealth to get out and participate in the Games, and start living a healthy lifestyle. Let’s get out, get active and get healthy. Let’s make Kentucky Proud.”
New sponsors for the 2008 Games include Kentucky Proud, UK Healthcare and Pepsi. As spokesperson for Kentucky Proud, Commissioner Farmer announced that each participant in this year’s Games would receive a free Kentucky Proud t-shirt.
New sports added to the Games’ line-up are lacrosse, Miracle League Baseball and the increasingly popular corn hole. The new mascot (to be named in an upcoming “name the mascot” contest) and Legends mascot “Big L” played a game of corn hole on the dugouts after the announcements.
Other speakers included Lexington Legends President/COO Alan Stein, and representatives for Pepsi, UK Healthcare, Miracle League Baseball and lacrosse.
This year Get Healthy Kentucky is the title sponsor of the Bluegrass State
Games, and Subway is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include: Commonwealth
of Kentucky, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, University of Kentucky,
Kentucky Utilities, Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, McDonald’s
of Central Kentucky, Best Western of Kentucky, Central Bank and Smucker’s,
among others.
About Get Healthy Kentucky Bluegrass State Games
The Bluegrass State Games operate in conjunction with the Lexington Area Sports Authority, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The State Games is a member of the National Conference of State Games, and is recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as an Official State Games Program participant. For more information about the Bluegrass State Games, Kentuckians can visit www.bgsg.org.
About Get Healthy Kentucky
Get Healthy Kentucky (GHK) is a statewide wellness initiative that incorporates physical activity, nutrition and tobacco cessation and prevention components. GHK has created an opportunity for individuals and groups to have a one-stop, central location for information and resources that will improve the quality of life for Kentuckians and help prevent chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.
To help spread their preventive health message, GHK looks for community partners, such as the Bluegrass State Games, that share their mission to promote health and wellness.
GHK is designed for residents of all ages and includes access to reliable, unbiased information on the GHK Web site, www.gethealthy.ky.gov. The site provides information about the Governor's Challenge program, an incentive-based fitness program designed to help participants set personal fitness goals and track progress online.
