Sudbury's Grace Hartman Amphitheatre in Bell Park was a place of celebration, music and laughter Tuesday night as the opening ceremonies and flame-lighting event took place for 2025 Ontario 55+ Summer Games, an event that encourages older people to stay active.
Hundreds of participants from across the province took part in the parade of athletes, waving flags representing roughly 800 participants from more than 30 unique districts throughout Ontario.
The parade of athletes dominated the front area of the stage and were applauded by the audience before marching off.
Several speakers took turns congratulating the organizers and welcoming the out-of-town participants.
Richmond Hill MPP Daisy Wai, parliamentary assistant to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, spoke to the crowd as the athletes marched off.
"We are not getting old!" she shouted with enthusiasm.
The crowd cheered in response.
Wai said she was pleased to see so many older citizens clearly demonstrating they were as able as ever and willing to show off their abilities.
"Sport has a powerful ability to help bring people together. It has the ability to help us learn how to overcome the physical and mental limits we place on ourselves," said Wai.
"Each of you is an inspiration of how we can and should reach to become our best selves and to always have fun along the way.”
Wai said she was inspired to see so many older athletes having fun.
"Be young!" she shouted as she wrapped up her remarks.
Also speaking to the crowd was Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, who welcomed the hundreds of out-of-towners to what he called Northern Ontario's cottage country.
Lefebvre said Sudbury, with its hundreds of lakes and hundreds of kilometres of wilderness trails, has so much to offer visitors looking for outdoor adventure.
"Come back in the winter," said Lefebvre, adding that the city is attractive in all four seasons.
"These games are a celebration of active living, lifelong sport and community spirit, and our hope is that they bring joy, connection and unforgettable memories."
Lefebvre also thanked the scores of volunteers who stepped forward in the past year to offer expertise and advice on how to stage a major provincial cultural event.
"You'll see a number of amazing volunteers, and that is the backbone of why this city is a great place to live, work and play. They make everything happen," said the mayor.
Comments were also heard from Daria Thompson, president of the Ontario Summer Games Association, who congratulated the 800-plus participants and athletes who are joining in the event this week.
"Your presence here is a testament to your commitment to health, wellness and lifelong participation in sport. Whether this is your first game or your 10th, you are part of something truly special," said Thompson.
She said the important thing is that the event inspires older people to stay active.
"These games are more than just competition — they are about community. They bring together people of different backgrounds, abilities and stories, all united in a common passion for active living," said Thompson.
The opening ceremony also included the oath-taking events for both the athletes and the officials, with each group pledging fairness and integrity in their respective roles.
Later in the ceremony, community leaders and VIPs were invited on stage to witness the lighting of the Summer Games cauldron, which holds the flame, representing harmony and goodwill for all communities that host the games.
The torch was carried to the stage by well-known Sudbury sports writer, enthusiast and ambassador, Randy Pascal, who lit the flame in the cauldron.
The opening ceremony event also had a strong cultural element. The Sudbury Filipino Association folk dance group performed for the audience. Sudbury’s YES theatre group performed a musical tribute to Fleetwood Mac, which inspired many in the crowd to get up and dance to the music.
Len Gillis is a reporter at Sudbury.com.