Great Lakes Sports Festival Coming to Erie

The Great Lakes Sports Festival will return to the Bayfront Convention Center for the second time Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30. The expanded two-day event will feature various strength and fitness competitions, youth sports events, a walk to support RSD awareness, and a “Find Your Fitness” Expo.

Doors to the event will open at 8:30 a.m. on both days. The first 500 in the door on each day will receive a free event t-shirt.

The event kicks off on Saturday with the Crossfit FBO Throwdown, starting at 9 a.m., along with pre-judging for the National Physique Committee (NPC) Great Lakes Bodybuilding Figure, Bikini, and Physique Championships. The RSD Fun Walk begins at 10 a.m., followed by the PA State Arm Wrestling Championship at 11 a.m., and the North American Strongman Competition at noon. The USA Pro Deadlift Meet begins at 1 p.m., before wrapping up Saturday with the NPC Bodybuilding Competition Night Show at 6 p.m.

Sunday’s events also begin at 9 a.m., starting with the 212 Degrees of Fitness Barbell Open, followed by the Erie Outlaws Youth Baseball Clinic at 10 a.m., and the I-9 Youth Soccer and Football clinics at noon.

“I wanted to create an event that allowed athletes of many different disciplines the opportunity to come together at one event and celebrate fitness and competition,” said Jack Sullivan, Event Director and Owner of REAL Training and Fitness in Erie. “With the help of the Erie Sports Commission, my hope is that Erie will come to the event to see these top-notch athletes perform.”

“The Great Lakes Sports Festival is a really unique event for Erie,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “Jack put together a great day-long event in 2014, and with the added day, even more people will get to experience the work he does.”

Tickets are available for purchase now at the Erie Insurance Arena and at www.erieevents.com. Admission is $35 for Saturday and $25 for Sunday, and all kids under 12 will be admitted for free.

For more information on the event, and to register for any of the competitions or clinics, visit www.findyourfitness.us.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.