HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Thousands of soccer fans from all over the nation have made their way to our region, and Thursday the games kicked off with a show.

With a giant torch, a parade of athletes, and plenty theatrics, it could have been the start of the 2012 Olympics.

However, there are a few differences between Thursday's Region 1 Soccer opening ceremony in Huntington and the one headed to London in 2012. Instead of a parade of nations, there was a parade of states, each of which made a long trip to play for a regional title.

"It was about 14 hours total, but worth it," Massachusetts soccer player Adam Morollo said.

Fourteen states are represented, but one state is showing a little more pride this weekend than the rest.

"It’s amazing,” Jade Smith, who plays for the U17 soccer team in West Virgnia, said. “I think they've done very well here. It's the best I've seen. We've been to regionals four years straight, and it’s much nicer here than it has been anywhere else."

This ceremony was complete with a special delivery. The 82nd Airborne dropped by with a proclamation from the governor, welcoming everyone to the mountain state.

Now the parades are over and it’s time to let the games begin.

Tournament play begins at 8 a.m. Friday at Barboursville City Park and the Kennedy Center.