Community Bank is returning as the title sponsor of the 45th annual Empire State Winter Games, scheduled for next weekend in Lake Placid.
To commemorate the start of this year’s games, Community Bank branches across New York will kick off the annual winter sporting event by participating in a 700-mile Olympic-style torch relay. Today at 2:15 p.m., the torch run will start from the corner of 46 West Main St. in Waterloo (at the stop light intersection), before arriving at the Community Bank Waterloo branch at 2:30 p.m.
Local town and village representatives have been invited, and all are welcome to observe and celebrate the occasion.
“The Empire State Winter Games is a tradition like no other, and we’re proud to continue our support of the games and its mission for the eighth year in a row,” Community Bank President & CEO Dimitar Karaivanov said. “Beyond the sporting competitions, the games bring our communities across the Empire State together in meaningful ways that leave a lasting impact on the Adirondack region and beyond. We look forward to cheering on and supporting this year’s participants.”
ESWG is the largest Olympic-style winter sporting event in the Northeast, drawing an estimated 2,500 athletes of all ages and abilities from various regions across New York and neighboring states. Throughout the three-day tournament, athletes compete in a diverse range of 25 winter sports — including alpine skiing, figure skating, sled hockey and more — on a world-class stage.
“The Empire State Winter Games torch relay is a powerful symbol of unity and celebration,” Adirondack Sports Council Executive Director Tracy Smith said. “Every year, this symbolic journey brings communities together across New York State, showcasing the spirit and pride of these games. As we honor the legacy of the athletes and the historic venues that have shaped winter sports, we also look forward to igniting new dreams and creating lasting memories.”
The games are made possible through partnerships involving the state of New York, the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism, various towns and villages in the Adirondack region, and the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority.
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