1997 Opening Ceremonies at the Boston Garden

Image description: Mayor Thomas Menino and Governor Paul Cellucci lead the torch to the cauldron to be lit to start the 1997 Summer Games.

What better way to start a 40 week run than lighting the cauldron? A former Bay State Games tradition, similar to that of lighting the cauldron to signify the start of each Olympic Games. The Opening Ceremonies were held in the (old) Boston Garden, where thousands of athletes gathered wearing their BSG t-shirts and came to collect their exclusive athlete jackets. If you look closely you can see some familiar faces from BSG as well :)

1997 marked the 11th Summer Games. The Games featured 22 sports.

Mayor Menino was mayor of Boston from 1993 to 2014. Governor Cellucci was in office from 1997 to 2001. Both supported Bay State Games for many years.

Check back every Thursday for the next 40 weeks for more BSG memories and highlights!