COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland will open the 2010 National Rifle and Pistol Matches at 6:30 p.m., today at the Camp Perry Joint Training Center in Port Clinton, Ohio.
The national matches are hosted each year by the Ohio National Guard in partnership with the National Rifle Association and the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
Known as the “Super Bowl” of competitive shooting, the five-week event brings more than 6,000 national and international competitors, volunteers, spectators, vendors and family members to CPJTC each summer.
The ceremony will be held at the Friends of Camp Perry Memorial Plaza where the governor will give opening remarks and officially kick-off the 2010 National Matches by firing the ceremonial “First Shot” on the 600-yard Rodriguez Range.
"I have seen firsthand the cooperative work between the Ohio National Guard, Civilian Marksmanship Program and the National Rifle Association," Strickland said. "Their efforts result in a first class event which has an economic impact of $20 million to the region."
The First Shot Ceremony and CPJTC are open to the public. In addition to the world’s largest shooting range, CPJTC offers unspoiled beaches, newly constructed cottages and a state-of-the-art conference center.