BUFFALO, N.Y., July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Fans will be able to "see
themselves," as well as all of the festivities in front of them, when
the Empire State Games opening ceremony takes place tonight at North
AmeriCare Park in downtown Buffalo.  The ceremony will kick off the 19th
annual Empire State Games, with 7,000 athletes to participate in
27 different sports through Sunday.
    One of four parachuters will be wearing a camera as he falls from
the air during a skydiving show, allowing fans to see themselves on a
portable Jumbotron screen.
    There'll also be the parade of athletes, who are split up into six
regions during the games, and will be easy for the crowd to recognize
during competition.  Each region of the games has its own uniform shirt
color:

    Region                Shirt

    Adirondack            Gold
    Hudson Valley         Kelly Green
    Long Island           Red
    New York City         Orange
    Central               Lt. Blue
    Western (host)        Navy

    One of two torchbearers at the ceremony will be Stacey Schroeder of
Grand Island in the host western region, who has earned 15 medals at the
ESG, including four straight golds in the discus.
    The main attraction tonight will be an eight-minute fireworks
display.
    The ESG has been receiving recognition and praise from several
political leaders in the State.  "Our city -- still basking in the glow
of the Olympic Flame that passed through Buffalo in June -- extends a
warm welcome to the athletes, coaches, families, supporters, officials
and spectators of the 1996 Empire State Games," said Anthony M.
Masiello, Mayor of Buffalo, whose city is hosting its third Empire State
Games.  "These games are a prime example of New York's continuing
commitment to our young people and our dedication to the future," added
New York Governor George E. Pataki.
    The schedule and updates of the events are available at the Empire
State Games World Wide Web Site (http://www.empiregames.org).