NORFOLK, Neb. -- Video games are more a part of kids' lives than ever, and this weekend's northeast Nebraska competition brought together gamers of all ages.

The Norfolk LAN Party, now in its fifth year, hosted its 10th event, attracting a growing number of participants and showcasing the vibrant culture around gaming.

For one mom, who recently moved to the Norfolk area, events like these help her 8-year-old son meet other children with similar interests.

"When you're in school, there's always the sports kids and the theater kids," Tori said. "There are all sorts of little groups. Now there are the gaming kids, and they're not outcasts anymore. You can come here and meet a bunch of people that have all the same interests."

Organizers said the community expands beyond state borders, with people from Pennsylvania and Kansas making the trip to Nebraska for the event.

"We've got a lot of new faces each year," said Nick Wildman, founder of Norfolk LAN Party. "You can play with people all over the country, and to actually get some to come by... it's just a great experience for everybody to meet each other and put a face to a name."

All proceeds from the event go toward non-profits.

Participants, both kids and adults, had the chance to win prizes by competing in tournaments, entering raffles, or simply playing games with others throughout Friday and Saturday.