(Radio Iowa) – Thousands of Iowa athletes — from toddlers to senior citizens — will be taking part in the Winter Iowa Games, with some events starting next weekend. All ages and abilities are welcome to compete in sports including alpine ski racing, figure skating, trapshooting, hockey and snowshoeing. Games marketing director Cory Kennedy says this marks the 34th year for the annual winter sports festival, which features a range of indoor and outdoor sports.

The venues are spread across the state in almost as many locations as there are events, and several thousand Iowans will be hoping to medal.

Kennedy says it’s always a treat to see the incredible range in ages of Iowa’s athletes.

The events take place over the next few months, with the first being the pickleball tournament January 18th and 19th at the University of Dubuque. The final event is youth ice hockey at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, March 15th and 16th. Other host communities include: Ankeny, Cedar Rapids, Eldora, Harlan, Iowa City, Ottumwa, Peosta and Waterloo.