Saturday night athletes will celebrate the opening of the 2012 Summer Games. This year, the week-long sporting event is being held in the towns of Harbour Grace and Carbonear.

"The logo is 'ignite the light', and we're asking people to turn on their Christmas lights, light up their trees, light up their houses, it's just a brightness and freshness of the games," said Harbour Grace Mayor Don Coombs outside by the track field. "It's the spirit of the games."

Coombs said when the towns hosted the games in 1992 the towns turned on lights to salute the youth. 20 years later, he said, people are being encouraged to do it again.

Saturday evening the games will begin at the Carbonear Recreation Complex. The athletes and torch bearers will march into the arena.

Young people from across the province are now gearing up to compete and are excited to play.

For many participating, no matter what their level of experience, the games bring new experiences.

"We've been playing for four years but inside, we've never done it outside," said Aaron Finn who'll be playing beach volley-ball. "It should be an experience to remember."

20 years ago Harbour Grace and Carbonear hosted the games. Now many of the athletes that played then are organizing the games for their own kids.

"Everybody's excited, it's like Christmas Eve for the kids, opening up their gifts, the whole two communities are flat out," said Coombs.

Coombs said both the towns have been able to upgrade their sporting facilities thanks to almost $900,000 dollars from the provincial government.

"We were able to upgrade the facilities to where we want them," said Coombs.

"Our tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer, Carbonear got their track, got their pool done."

He said many of the hotels in the towns are booked and the event will also generate a significant economic spin-off in the area.