TIFTON — Summer swimming comes to a halt for teams in the Georgia Recreation and Park Association this Friday and Saturday as 25 teams compete at Tifton’s Baldwin Drive Aquatic Center for state glory.

The Class B/C state finals take place over two days, splashing off Friday morning at 9 a.m. with opening ceremonies. Saturday morning’s competition also starts at 9 a.m.

“A great two days,” said Craig Sowell, Recreation Director of Tift County Recreation Department.

Admission to the meet is free.

The state swim meet is one of the largest events held in Tifton every year and Sowell expects no different this year. Sowell estimates that 2,500-3,000 people will come and cheer some 750 competitors, the latter figure one he said was “up a little bit.”

Younger swimmers (ages 7-10 and events 1-36) will compete Friday and older swimmers (11-18 and 37-90) will be in the pool Saturday.

Preliminary races will be held in the mornings, but with some exceptions.

Sowell said that if the race has eight or fewer teams or individuals competing, they will go ahead with the final and not hold it during other finals during the afternoon.

According to a list of competitors for all races, nine events will be finals during the morning sessions: the girls and boys 7-8 100 medley relay, the boys 7-8 25 breaststroke, the 7-8 boys 100 individual medley, the boys 7-8 100 freestyle relay, the boys 12-and-under 200 medley relay, the boys and girls 14-and-under 200 medley relay and the boys 14-and-under 200 freestyle relay.

Sowell said that swimmers placing first through third in races will receive medals. Those finishing fourth through eighth will get ribbons.

Teams involved, according to Sowell, are Appling County (30 competitors), Bainbridge (11), Calhoun (60), Camden County (20), Catoosa County/Fort Oglethorpe (42), Commerce (21), Dawsonville (15), Douglas (71), Fitzgerald (15), Gilmer County (45), Habersham County (37), Jeff Davis County (24), Jefferson (57), Lumpkin County (14), Morgan County (7), Moultrie (39), Oconee County (52), Pickens County (25), Greene County/Reynolds Rapids (10), Statesboro (17), Thomasville (34), Tiftarea (46), Valdosta (2), Vidalia (23) and Wayne County (33).

Newcomers to state, he said, were Camden and Valdosta. Valdosta is in the same district as Tiftarea, but had not been the same size. Valdosta was previously classified by the GRPA as an A program, but is now in the B/C division.

Oconee took top honors as a group in 2016, edging Douglas, 583-574. Calhoun was third with 529 points, with Jefferson fourth at 451 and Tiftarea fifth at 427. Douglas and Oconee were the top teams in 2015 as well.

Weekend temperatures in Tifton are predicted by The Weather Channel as topping out at 92 both days. Sowell advised fans to bring chairs and umbrellas.

Concessions will be available at the state swim meet. Sowell said that both Barberitos and Yellow Monkey will be on location. Heat sheets and swimming gear will also be for sale.

For patrons unfamiliar with the area around the Baldwin Drive Aquatic Center, parking is available around the recreation facilities and down Baldwin Drive (which will be a one-way street Friday and Saturday), but is not allowed at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center.

Detailed parking, restaurant and hotel information is available in the 2017 GRPA BC State Meet Event Files, located at http://www.tiftcounty.org/departments/departments_n-z/recreation/state_b_c.php. Sowell said Tuesday that hotels in the area were already full between swimming and the GRPA baseball meet that has also been played this week.