Senior citizens get active for the Senior Games
The American Legion Post 400 Honor Guard from Carmichaels fires a 21-gun salute during the opening ceremony of the Senior Games.
Seniors compete in the 50-yard dash on the track at Waynesburg Central High School.
The softball throw was among the events in which seniors could compete.
WAYNESBURG – Senior citizens ran, threw and celebrated healthy living at the 29th annual Senior Games Wednesday.
The games took place at Waynesburg Central High School and began in style with the opening ceremony. A vintage plane flyover, courtesy of SOAR of Greene County, was accompanied by the singing of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute from American Legion Post 400 Honor Guard of Carmichaels.
“It’s such an honor to have our veterans play,” said Nancy Riggle, the Greene County director for Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, which sponsored the festivities. “So many of the people here today served our country.”
Seniors from across Washington, Greene and Fayette counties competed in various events that included the 50-yard dash, horseshoes and shuffleboard.
The theme for this year’s games was “Energy for Life.” This theme is meant to help convey the message that physical activity leads to healthier, longer lives.
“We’re hoping to promote health and wellness and physical activity as a means to help people age successfully,” said Leslie Grenfell, the executive director of the agency, who also says the games are the agency’s “largest health and wellness event.”
Competitor Rick Meneskie, who has participated in the Senior Games for the past several years, echoed the message of this theme after completing the 50-yard dash.
“I think everyone ought to do everything they can do to stay healthy as they get older,” Meneskie said. “It’s important to use your body as much as you can.”
To most of the participants, the Senior Games isn’t about winning or losing, but rather coming together and getting outside to be active.
“I enjoy the camaraderie of all the competitors,” Meneskie said.
The track and field events weren’t all that was on the menu for the games. Artbeat provided a photo op prop that allowed attendees to pose as superheroes. The auditorium held live musical and comedic performances throughout the day. Seniors could play bingo or even have a caricature drawn by artist Jeffrey Harris.
Several volunteers from Greene County were on hand to help the games move along. According to Riggle, the Senior Games had an eight-month planning process.
“The whole community came together,” Riggle said. “We couldn’t be prouder here in Greene County.”