1-year countdown to the Canada Summer Games begins in Winnipeg

The countdown to the Canada Summer Games is on.

Many families flocked to The Forks on Thursday to celebrate the one-year countdown tothe Canada Summer Games.

Winnipeg will host the 2017 Canada Summer Games next July.

The celebrations at The Forks includedmusical performancesby Manitoba musicians as well as 14 interactive kiosksfor kidsdemonstratingsome of the sports that wil be presented at the Canada Summer Games.

More than 4,000athletes and 20,000visitors are expected to be in Winnipeg for the CanadaSummerGames next summer betweenJuly 28 to August 13.

Earlier on Thursday,Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman hosted a flag raising ceremony at city hall to mark the one year countdown to the Canada Summer Games.

He was joined by Canada Summer Gamesco-chair Hubert Mesman and CEO and president Jeff Hnatiuk. The mayor said Winnipeg is proud and ready tohost theevent and welcomethe world to thecity.

The event is expected to rake in at least$130millionfor the local economy.

The 2017 Summer Games will have special significance, as they will be held during Canada's 150th birthday and mark the 50th anniversary of the games, too.