To the skirl of pipes, the beating of First Nations drums, and the shouts and cheers of hundreds of athletes, the BC Summer Games were opened Thursday evening in Langley.

Thousands of young athletes and coaches representing eight zones from around the province poured into McLeod Athletic Park just after 7 p.m.

They were greeted by everyone from B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, to local MLAs and mayors, to elders of the Kwantlen First Nation.

Those marching in were excited and a little sleep deprived.

Elora Hipwell, 12, carried in the banner for the Kootenays with her teammates on her district’s girls softball team.

They won the right to carry the banner and led their team by winning a game of Simon Says, she explained.

In the grandstands, parents, grandparents and siblings eagerly snapped pictures.

Erin and Matt Craig from Naramatta, in the Thompson-Okanagan Zone (2), were there to cheer for their daughter Hayden.

The BC Summer Games are important to the whole family, Matt said. He and Erin both played volleyball in the Games as teens, and they later met at a national-level game.

“It was our social network for years and years,” he said. Their oldest daughter Jamie competed in the last edition of the Games.

Alyssah Carter of Delta had her grandparents Joan and Dave, and mom Deborah, in the stands cheering for her under an orange banner supporting Fraser River-Delta girls rugby.

Things have been “a little bit crazy” in the runup to the Games, Deborah said.

“They were so excited this morning they couldn’t stand still,” she said of the team.

Kevin Kelly of the Kwantlen First Nation welcomed the athletes to his people’s traditional territory, and reminded them that the word Kwantlen means “tireless runner.”

“We do this for our children,” he said, wishing that all the athletes have good luck and make new friends during their time in Langley.

Kelly and a group of elders sang a river song, in honour of the return of paddling and rowing events to the Games for the first time in more than a decade.

As one elder added, it was also “to make sure the river doesn’t get hungry.”

Campbell, Township Mayor Rick Green, and Games president Michael Jackstien also welcomed the athletes, before the athletes took their oath and the torch was officially lit.

BC Summer Games in full swing:

Sports fields, rinks, and facilities are teeming with activity

For those wondering what sport is where during this weekend’s BC Summer Games, here is a quick guide.

Competition runs most of the day today (Friday) and Saturday, as well as Sunday morning.

Athletics (track and field)McLeod Athletic Park, 216th Street and 56th Avenue.

BaseballMcLeod Athletic Park, 216th Street and 56th Avenue, and Aldergrove Athletic Park, 257B Street and 29th Avenue

Basketball – BoysR.E. Mountain Secondary School 7755 202A St., and Langley Events Centre, 7888 200th St.

Basketball – GirlsLangley Events Centre, 7888 200th St., and R.E. Mountain Secondary School., 7755 202A St.

BocciaWalnut Grove Community Centre, 8889 Walnut Grove Dr.

Canoe/KayakLangley Rowing and Paddling Centre, 9277 Glover Rd.

Cycling – BMXLangley BMX Association track, 20699 42nd Ave.

Cycling – Road, Off RoadWilloughby Community Park, 202A Street and 78th Avenue

DivingWalnut Grove Community Centre, 8889 Walnut Grove Drive.

EquestrianThunderbird Show Park, 24550 72nd Avenue

Field hockey Willoughby Community Park, 202A Street and 78th Avenue

GolfThe Redwoods Golf Course, 22011 88th Ave.

Inline hockeyLangley Sportsplex 20165 91A Ave.

Lacrosse – BoxGeorge Preston Recreation Centre, 20699 42nd Ave., and Langley Events Centre, 7888 200th St.

Lacrosse – FieldWilloughby Community Park, 202A Street and 78th Avenue

RowingLangley Rowing and Paddling Centre, 9277 Glover Rd.

Rugby – BoysMcLeod Athletic Park, 216th Street and 56th Avenue

Rugby – GirlsWilloughby Community Park, 202A Street and 78th Avenue

SailingRocky Point Sailing Association, 2709 Clark St., Port Moody

Soccer – BoysAldergrove Athletic Park, 267B St. and 29th Avenue

Soccer – Girlsat Aldergrove Athletic Park, 267B St. and 29th Avenue

Softball – BoysMcLeod Athletic Park, 216th Street and 56th Avenue,and Langley Fundamental Middle School, 20381 66th Ave.

Softball – GirlsMcLeod Athletic Park, 216th Street and 56th Avenue,and Langley Fundamental Middle School, 20381 66th Ave.

SwimmingWalnut Grove Community Centre, 8889 Walnut Grove Dr.

Synchronzed SwimmingSurrey Sport and Leisure Centre, 16555 Fraser Hwy., Surrey

Towed Water SportsAlbert Dyck Park, 31515 Walmsley Ave., Abbotsford

TriathlonAldergrove Lake Regional Park, 272nd Street and 8th Avenue

Volleyball – BeachWilloughby Community Park, 202A Street and 78th Avenue

Volleyball – BoysWalnut Grove Secondary School, 8919 Walnut Grove Dr.

Volleyball – GirlsWalnut Grove Secondary School, 8919 Walnut Grove Dr.

WrestlingH.D. Stafford Middle School, 20441 Grade Cres.

Opening ceremonies took place last night (Thursday) at McLeod Athletic Park. Closing ceremonies are at Langley Events Centre on Sunday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.