Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch This year's U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships are expected to bring 16,000 out-of-town visitors to the Tri-State. Related: US Youth Soccer opening ceremony schedule Busy week ahead for MU soccer coaches Tourney an opportunity for referees to perform July 01, 2010 @ 12:00 AM

GRANT TRAYLOR

The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- The get off to an impressive start Thursday with opening ceremonies at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

The official ceremony gets under way at 3:40 p.m. when Team Fastrax Professional Skydiving Team enters the field to present an American flag.

A host of distinguished guests will address the crowd, which was estimated at nearly 20,000 people last year.

Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne and Len Rogers, president of the West Virginia Soccer Association, will address the crowd prior to the Star Spangled Banner, which will be played by the 249th Army Rock Band and sung by Huntington's Marybeth Withers.

Gov. Joe Manchin is expected to address the crowd along with Marshall University president Stephen Kopp and Region I director Bob Palmeiro. It is not immediately known if Manchin's appearance will be changed because of the death of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

Following the speakers, teams will line up for the Olympic-style parade and each team representing the 15 state associations will be introduced. The parade will start at 4:14 p.m.

Moppy Lavery and Diane Shattls are co-chairpersons of the opening ceremonies, and said if last year's response is any indication, there is plenty of reason to come out and join in the festivities.

"The opening ceremony last year got rave reviews," Lavery said in a release. "Many said it was the best one they have been to. We would like to see a lot of people from the community come out to the opening ceremony and to some of the games."

While the opening ceremonies don't officially begin until 3:40 p.m., there is plenty leading up to the ceremony for fans to look forward to.

At 1 p.m., the 249th Army Rock Band will start playing music outside of Joan C. Edwards Stadium, giving fans entertainment while enjoying many of the various activities in the parking lot and corridor areas of the stadium.

The 249th Army Rock Band will move inside when gates open at 2 p.m., which is also when VIP rooms open and patrons can start signing up for tours of Marshall University.

The Crossbar Elimination Competition for players gets underway at 3 p.m. and precedes a Tug-of-War battle between the mascots and coaches.

After the Tug-of-War, the mascots will break up into two sides for a 5-on-5 soccer contest, which leads up to the official start of the ceremonies.

Soccer action in the 2010 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships begins Friday morning with pool play running through Sunday.

Semifinals are scheduled for Monday and championships will wrap up the action Tuesday.

All games are slated to be played at the Barboursville Soccer Complex, located off 4-H Camp Road, and Scott Orthopedics Soccer Complex at the Huntington YMCA Kennedy Center on W.Va. 2.