DES MOINES, Iowa (December 21, 2023) – Chow’s Hy-Vee Winter Classic returns to the Iowa Events Center, January 12 – 14, 2024 with additional meets. More than 1,300 gymnasts from across the country will be competing in different levels, skills, and events.
New this year – a boys meet with 80 competitors. This is the first year that boys will compete at the Winter Classic. The growth in boys gymnastics gives this event a chance to reach a larger demographic and provide a meet for both girls and boys, something that is unique for the sport.
Saturday, January 13, there will be an exhibition by six Special Olympics Iowa gymnasts as they perform and compete on various apparatuses. It is a special event for those gymnasts as they will be able to compete in public and in front of a large crowd.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring a diverse group of young gymnasts ranging from age 5 to 23, on all levels of gymnastics competition,” said Mike Stessman with Chow’s Gymnastics Booster Club. “With Coach Chow and his impact on gymnastics, this is a natural extension of his ability to bring a large and diverse group of gymnasts to Des Moines to compete in a large form. We are very excited to add a boys meet, recreational meet, and Special Olympics Iowa exhibition to our form.”
The final day of the competition will feature a recreational meet with more than 400 athletes competing in four sessions, giving more girls the opportunity to compete in a larger capacity.
“The Winter Classic is a huge competitive event within the gymnastics industry and with the addition of new meets and the Special Olympics Iowa exhibition, the event continues to be elevated and growing,” said Catch Des Moines President and CEO Greg Edwards. “Coach Chow is an incredible coach, his leadership, expertise, and coaching talents in developing new ways to expand the reach of gymnastics is what makes this competition one of the best in the country.”
While there is no collegiate competition this time around, the Simpson College Women’s Gymnastics team will be hosting an open house on Sunday, January 14 from 1 – 3:30 p.m. They will be offering autographs, answering questions, and hosting an open forum.
Tickets are on sale for the Chow’s Hy-Vee Winter Classic at chowsgymmeets.com/event-site-information.
About Catch Des Moines
The Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Des Moines Area Sports
Commission, collectively known as Catch Des Moines, is the official destination marketing
organization promoting and representing Greater Des Moines to leisure travelers and meeting/sports planners. Our focus is to increase visitors to the metro and elevate the visitor experience to drive economic success and enhance the quality of life in the 14 local Greater Des Moines communities we represent. For more information, visit catchdesmoines.com.