The 2024 Can-Am Police-Fire Games that will be hosted in Butler County is drawing near, and first responders, retired first responders and first responder family members over the age of 18 have until Friday, May 10, to register for the Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit categories.

The Can-Am games will take place starting on July 15. It is a multisport, Olympic-style event that features traditional sports and competitions that include skills used in first responders’ day-to-day work.

Butler County Sheriff Michael Slupe, chairman and CEO for the Butler County 2024 Can-Am games, said the board will have to make adjustments if there are not enough participants in certain categories, which may include scrapping certain games altogether.

“It’s such a shame, for CrossFit especially, because it is such a great event,” Slupe said. “There’s a lot of people who are into CrossFit, and we’re trying to pull the first responders.”

Slupe said while there has been a “bunch of people” who signed up for power lifting, not as many athletes have signed up for Olympic weightlifting.

“We encourage (first responders) to sign up soon, because on the morning of May 15, we are going to start making some difficult decisions,” Slupe said.

First responders from all over the country and parts of Canada will be competing. The games will have competitors from fire and rescue, law enforcement, emergency medical service providers, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, corrections officers and other first responders along with their spouses and children over 18.

There will be about 50 events offered at 18 different venues throughout Butler County. The games are expected to attract more than 3,000 competitors, according to the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau.

The games will take place July 15 to 21. Early registration is encouraged as spots for certain events, such as golf and skill shooting, are limited and likely will fill up quickly.

To register, visit www.canamregister.com