Empire State Winter Games to be Held in New York State’s Adirondack Region January 30 thru February 2, 2025
Empire State Winter Games Opening Ceremony Entitled “Chasing Dreams on Snow & Ice” Scheduled for 6:30 p.m., January 30 in Lake Placid’s Olympic Center
Twenty-Four Winter Sports Make up the 45th Annual Empire State Winter Games
CANTON, N.Y. (JANUARY 22, 2025) — The 45th Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) Torch Relay continues its more than 700-mile, 16-stop tour en route to Lake Placid, N.Y. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, the torch will visit Community Bank in Canton. The stop is part of a New York State tour, which began on Jan. 23 in the Buffalo region and concludes in the two-time Olympic village in time for the ESWG’s Opening Ceremony, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. being held in the famed Olympic Center’s 1980 Herb Brooks Arena.
With title sponsor Community Bank, N.A., along with supporting sponsors Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, DICK’s Sporting Goods, Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, Stewart Shops, Don’s Ford of Utica and Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, the relay which symbolizes a unifying spirit, inspiration, resilience and the power of sport and community, will be welcomed by dozens of communities along the route back to Lake Placid.
January 28, 2025
Canton Community Bank; 80 Main St. Canton, N.Y., 13617 10 a.m. On-site contact: Sean Despaw, Sean.Despaw@cbna.com, Tel: 315-386-8319.
During this event, the Canton Central School track team will run the torch from the St. Lawrence University Book Store, 92 Park Street, to the Community Bank branch, 80 Main St. There the torch will be accepted by Village of Canton Mayor Michael Dalton, St. Lawrance County Sheriff Rick Engles, Community Bank representatives, area and local officials and representatives.
Additional 2025 Empire State Winter Games Torch Relay stops include: Delmar Community Bank, Bond Schoneck & King, in Albany and Latham’s Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, Jan. 29; and Community Bank branches in Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid, Jan. 30.
The 45th annual ESWG is the largest and longest continuous amateur, winter multi-sport event in the United States. This winter’s event is expected to attract winter athletes from ages eight to 80 who will compete in 24 winter sports, including sliding sports, figure skating, sled hockey, winter biking, and more. In addition to Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, Paul Smiths and Wilmington will also host events.
The Games officially kick off on Thursday, Jan. 30, 6:30 p.m., when more than 2,500 athletes participate in Opening Ceremony being held in the Olympic Center’s 1980 Herb Brooks Arena. This year’s ESWG event theme is “Chasing Dreams on Snow & Ice: The 2025 Empire State Winter Games.” The event, which is free and open to the public, aims to celebrate the inspirational journey of all the athletes who have competed in the 44-year-old history of the Games.
For more information about the 45th Empire State Winter Games, go to https://empirestatewintergames.com/.
Fans and athletes can also follow on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter, using @ESWGames and #ESWGames.