Registration Opens for Pa's 2012 Keystone State Summer & Senior Games

Largest amateur athletic festival of sports in state returns to Hershey Harrisburg region July 23 – August 5

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau (HHRVB) today announced registration is now open online for both the 2012 Keystone State Summer Games (KSG) and the Keystone State Senior Games at KeystoneGames.com. Mail-in registration is also available for an additional processing and handling fee.

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The Keystone Games, the largest amateur athletic festival of sports in Pennsylvania, returns to the Hershey Harrisburg region from July 27 – August 5, marking the second year of a three-year agreement between KSG and HHRVB to host the event.

This year the biannual Keystone State Senior Games will also be held in the Hershey Harrisburg region the week prior to the Keystone Games from July 23 – 29.  The Senior Games are open to athletes ages 50 and older and this year's medal winners will qualify for the Summer National Senior Games to be held in Ohio in 2013.

"We are excited to return to the Hershey Harrisburg region and build upon the success of the 2011 event," said Owen Costello, CEO of the Keystone State Games. "The second year in a host location typically attracts more athletes than the inaugural year."

In 2011 the event drew record numbers of athletes in several competitions including field hockey, track & field and wrestling, according to Costello.

More than 25 sports will be included in the 2012 Keystone State Summer Games at venues throughout the Hershey and Harrisburg region with the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center serving as event headquarters.

"Our regional attractions are a great draw for youth athletic events," said Mary Smith, president of HHRVB. "Families coming here for competition typically extend their trip into a summer vacation."

To make planning an extended stay even easier for athletes' families, event organizers have provided lodging options and vacation planning tools at Keystone.VisitHersheyHarrisburg.org, including links to exclusive lodging deals for KSG participants, directions, social media channels, and KSG news updates.

Athletes and clubs from surrounding states are also eligible to register for the Keystone State Summer Games this year, according to Costello. While out-of-state participation makes up a minority of overall participants, organizers have received interest from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia, and D.C.

Read the extended release with Keystone Games FAQ and Facts Sheet found in our Media Lounge "NEWS" at http://Media.VisitHersheyHarrisburg.org

SOURCE Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau