As part of Penn State's 150th birthday bash, the Sesquicentennial Games will kick off today in a series of events spanning three days, ranging from Olympic-like games to a talent show.

Opening ceremonies will start at 6 p.m. at Old Main, and registration for the games will be from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hintz Family Alumni Center.

Weekend activities include athletics events, musical performances, guest speakers and a semi-formal for participants.

"The opening ceremony is huge," Games Director Tim Dorman said. "There will be student performances and practically every reputable music group on campus will be performing. Penn State President [Graham] Spanier will be here along with Kerry McCoy [five-time world champion wrestler, two-time Olympian and Penn State graduate]."

Penn State student talent show Synergy will perform at 8 p.m. in Schwab Auditorium, followed by Late Night Penn State with a sesquicentennial theme.

"Bright and early on Saturday morning we kick off with all the sporting activities and games ... Saturday evening the highlight, probably of the weekend as a whole, will be the gala," said Games Assistant Director Kristen Kofmehl.

Saturday's games, mostly located at the Intramural Building gym and field and Findlay Commons, will feature events such as a punt, pass and kick competition, a basketball shootout, a soccer shootout and a field fly casting contest.

The Sesquicentennial Gala, a semi-formal event, ends the second day of competition at 8 p.m. in the Mount Nittany Club on Beaver Stadium's fourth level.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing for many people who will never get up in the stadium, in the upper levels," Kofmehl said. "People have prime viewing for the fireworks at 9 p.m."

Tickets for the event are $15 for students and $30 for the public. They can be purchased either at the door or online at www.psu150.com.

"Gala is a huge semi-formal -- people can walk around the executive levels, we're lighting up the stadium, there will be fireworks [and]

the football game will be on, because it's at about the same time," Dorman said.

The Tug of War event will take place from noon until 2 p.m. Sunday and will end the weekend's celebration on the HUB-Robeson Center's lawn. Closing ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Old Main.

Many people are expected to watch the events or participate, especially because of Parents Weekend, said Nora O'Callaghan, games assistant director.

"It's parents and families weekend so we are expecting a good mix of parents, students, residents and alumni," Kofmehl said. "A lot of students will be interested in the [opening and closing] ceremonies because they'll come to watch their friends perform. Hopefully the community will come out to support and celebrate Penn State."

Dorman said he expected a lot of participation in the weekend's three biggest events.

"The biggest events are the ceremonies and Gala; we are definitely expecting and hoping for a lot of people to come out to those events, if not all of them," he said.

Celebrating Penn State's 150th anniversary should be an entire campus and town event, Kofmehl said.

"All the weekend's proceeds go to The Second Mile, a non-profit organization that benefits children -- they are such a worthwhile organization," she said.