On the eve of the Opening Ceremony, Alberta had its own ceremony in Banff on Thursday night to mark the beginning of the Alberta Winter Games.
12-year-old Georgia Hutchison, from Canmore, lit the cauldron at the beginning of the competition.
More than 2,500 athletes from all over the province will be competing in 19 different events over the next three days.
Banff Avenue was host to a big celebration to mark the start of the Games.
Jamie Carpenter, spokesperson for the Games, said it was the best place to host.
“We figured Banff Avenue is the best place to do it. Michael Bernard Fitzgerald is a fantastic act and it is so exciting for these kids to be part of their own opening ceremonies.”
The first Alberta Games were in Banff 38 years ago.
Organizers took two years to prepare for these Games.
The next games will take place in Medicine Hat.
