These seniors got game.
On Friday, senior citizens from across the region will converge
on the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for the annual Four
County Senior Games.
The event – taking place on the grounds around the
Frame-Westerberg Commons Building – will begin with registration
from 9 to 9:45 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 9:45 a.m.,
and the events from 10 a.m. to noon.
“The activities are sort of like the Olympic Games,” Mark
Benson, chairman of the Senior Games Committee, said on Wednesday.
“There are quite a lot of events for them to do. It’s a pretty busy
time for them for a few hours.”
Benson said about 170 residents age 55 or older from across
McKean, Potter, Elk and Cameron counties will participate in a
number of events – including a 100 meter run, one mile walk, bean
bag toss, horseshoes, Bocce, darts, frisbee throw and basketball
free throws, among others.
“They come from all over the area and get to meet seniors from
other communities,” Benson said. “A lot of times, they like to just
go and meet up with friends they haven’t seen.”
Benson, who is also the director of adult services for Potter
County Human Services, said he expects the largest turnout to come
from McKean County, with neighboring Cameron County also sporting a
large contingent. Meanwhile, Potter County participation is down
from past years.
Organizers are starting the proceedings an hour later than in
the past. Benson said that’s because the seniors have expressed
some concern about making the day too long for them.
“We agreed to shorten it up and see how it goes with people
participating,” Benson said, adding some seniors travel a great
distance to take part in the event. “We have people coming from as
far away as Driftwood and Ulysses.”
The games will be held for the 24th year at Pitt-Bradford, and
are open to seniors in nursing homes, senior centers and the
general community, among other locations.
In the case of inclement weather, Benson said the games will go
on.
“We don’t cancel it in any way,” Benson said. “In the case of
rain, we keep it running inside and put our rain schedule into
effect.”
Benson said in addition to fun and camaraderie from the games,
seniors will also be treated to a lunch and play bingo and do other
activities in the afternoon.
