The opening cermonies for the State Games of Mississippi won’t take place until June 10.

    However, Saturday’s three versus three soccer and for-person volleyball provided a tasy appetizer for what is in store when the summer rolls around and many more games are in action.

    “This is a nice, side event that we do,” Marketing and Directing Director of the Games Krilecia Gianakos said. “We had 35 soccer teams registered, and they were from all over the place, and we had peole come in from Tupelo, Clinton and Jakcson for volleyball. So we had good out-of-town participation.”

    A rainy Saturday didn’t stop Mississippians the chance to showcase their talents in the two events.

    “We had great participation, especially considering the weather conditions,” Gianakos said.

    This year’s Games will mark the 24th consecutive-year Meridian has hosted the event, with the next slate of games scheduled to begin May 28.

    “We’re looking forward to registration opening, and that will hapen April 23,” Gianakos said. “

    The demographic of the age of those participating in the events will range from the age of six-years-old all the way up to adults.

    “We had a lot of enthusiastic people from all over the state (Saturday),” Gianakos said. “They came out, played in the rain, but still had smiles on their faces.”