Local Olympian Hyleas Fountain and X-Factor girl group "Fifth Harmony" announced for 2013 State Games of America Opening Ceremony in Hershey, PA

July 31 - August 4, 2013

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau (HHRVB) today confirmed Olympian Hyleas Fountain and The X-Factor's "Fifth Harmony" will headline the Opening Ceremony for the 2013 State Games of America (#SGA2013) at GIANT Center in Hershey, PA on Friday, August 2.

Fountain, a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania native who won a silver medal in the heptathlon at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, according to event organizers. Fountain also served as the official spokesperson for the 2011 & 2012 Keystone State Games held in the Hershey Harrisburg Region. Fountain was only the second American woman other than Jackie Joyner-Kersee to win an Olympic medal in the heptathlon.

"The speaker for this event is typically an accomplished athlete who can inspire the young athletes in the audience," said Allison Rohrbaugh, HHRVB Special Events & Projects Manager. "We have loved working with Hyleas on the Keystone Games and we were thrilled when she agreed to be our guest speaker for SGA. She is a hometown hero who exemplifies a true champion in mind, body, and spirit."

Fifth Harmony is a fresh American girl group that first garnered national attention as a finalist on the second season of The X-Factor on FOX. The group, consisting of five girls between the ages of 16-19, includes Dinah-Jane Hansen, Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello,Normani Hamilton and Lauren Jauregui. After finishing third on the show, the group was signed by Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid's record labels, Syco Music and Epic Records. Their debut single Miss Movin On, was released this June and their next single "Me and My Girls" is slated to debut in July. The group also announced dates for their first summer tour (#HarmonizeAmerica) that will include their appearance in Hershey on August 2.

The Opening Ceremony will also include the traditional Parade of Athletes, torch presentation and cauldron lighting; plus a pre-recorded welcome by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett.

Tickets are available for the 2-hour event (6-8pm) through Ticketmaster for $16 and parking at GIANT Center is an additional $12 per car.  

About State Games of America.

SOURCE Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau