The 24th annual Tri State Games incorporates athletes with disabilities from Victoria, South Australia and southern New South Wales in a mini-olympics style event.

This year, the Tri State Games will be held in Stawell, with the festivities commencing at a welcome barbecue in Ararat this Sunday, November 8. The games officially commence next Monday, November 9, with a track day scheduled for everyone to try.

Janet Hooper from Stawell Intertwine Services, accepted the cheque for $5000 from Cr Barry Marrow to assist with hosting the Tri State Games.

Mrs Hooper said community support for the Tri State Games had been phenomenal, with the $5000 shire grant being the icing on the cake.

Students from Stawell Secondary College are also helping out with the games, in particular the opening parade and night time events.

``The students have been really excited to be involved with the games,'' Mrs Hooper said.

Mrs Hooper said that there are 430 athletes, support staff and families expected to attend the games, which will be held in Stawell and Ararat this year and next year.

``Each host has the games for two years running,'' Mrs Hooper said.

``Next year is the 25th anniversary so we're quite excited to have that.''

The events will take place at various sporting venues throughout Stawell and Ararat, such as Central Park, the Stawell Leisure Centre, Ararat Outdoor Pool and Stawell Club.

``We have tried to incorporate as many local sporting clubs as possible,'' Mrs Hooper said.

The athletes will be involved in a different sporting event each day, such as swimming, track and field and indoor games such as pool and darts.

A Grampians Gift will be held on Monday night where competitors will run a race on the Stawell Gift track. All competitors will receive a participation medal, with the finalists and winners receiving sashes.