June 9, 2000
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE GAMES TRADITION CONTINUES!
The Games Business People Play Take Place June 21

GREATER DES MOINES – March 8, 2000 – Executives on tricycles can only mean one thing – the Golden Circle Games are back!  On June 21 over 5,000 people will participate in an event that has exploded from its simple beginnings as an impromptu business picnic.  Sixteen years ago, four companies held the event that started it all.  It consisted of only a handful of games including horseshoes, dunk tank, tug-of-war and volleyball.  Today more than 300 companies, forming nearly 500 teams, participate in the festivities. 

“This event is a chance for the business community to network and interact in an informal, comfortable setting,” said Allan Graham, chair of the Golden Circle Games Committee.  “This is the kind of networking opportunity that just can’t be duplicated in size and scope – that’s why it’s so popular year after year.”

The Games will be played Wednesday, June 21, between 4 – 9 p.m. at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  Co-ed teams of eight will play six of twenty-six games in round one.  The teams with tying records move into subsequent rounds, where ultimately the top three teams will be awarded.  Teams also have a chance to win a prize for the best team uniform.  The uniform competition lends a whole new dimension to “business casual.”

When participants aren’t playing “Caterpillar” or “Don’t Wet the Sheets,” they can take relax to the music of the Lotus Eaters, a local Des Moines band that will perform on the Bill Riley stage throughout the afternoon and evening.  Line and swing dance lessons are also available from Roger Chapman to music provided by deejay Chuck Conard. 

An annual tradition of the Golden Circle Games is the food drive to benefit the Polk County Family Enrichment Center’s Food Pantry.  Teams, volunteers and spectators are encouraged to bring canned or non-perishable food items to drop off as they arrive at the Fairgrounds.  This annual food drive is one of the largest collections benefiting the Family Enrichment Center each year.

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