The Sunflower State Games is a statewide amateur sports festival for all Kansans. The purpose of the Games is to provide top-quality amateur competition in a wide range of activities and promote physical fitness, personal health and well-being for Kansans of all ages and skill levels.
The Sunflower State Games is held annually over two weekends in July at more than 30 venues. More than 400 volunteers are involved in the Games.
Founded in 1990, the Games started in Lawrence, Kansas with 14 sports and 2481 participants. Besides offering a wide range of competitions—from traditional Olympic sports such as track and field, swimming and diving, Kansans’ competitive interests are served by less demanding events such as horseshoe pitching and the Sunflower Stroll walk.
After twelve years in Lawrence, the Games moved to Topeka in 2002.
In 2002, the Sunflower State Games introduced a state-wide essay contest for students in first through sixth grades. Each January, elementary teachers are asked to encouraged their students to write a 150-300 word essay in exchange for the opportunity to win a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, a gift card for Barnes and Noble, a Sunflower State Games gold medal and the opportunity to read their winning essay at the VIP Opening Reception.
Brand new in 2004, the Sunflower State Games launched a team wellness program called Get Fit Kansas! through which participants strive to become more active and live healthier lives. Fitness tips and encouragement are provided over a four-month period. More than 800 people on 105 teams took part in the inaugural program.
The Sunflower State Games is made possible because of the financial support of Kansas corporate sponsors, the donation of numerous facilities by public and private institutions and many financial contributors and donors of in-kind goods and services.
In its first 17 years, Kansas has become a much respected program among the 40 members of the National Congress of State Games.