Registration for the 2024 Senior Olympics is set to open on April 1 with activities kicking off on May 1.
Registration for the 2024 Senior Olympics, hosted by Day & Genda Funeral Home, will run from April 1 through April 17 and is open to participants above the age of 55 who wish to delve into classic and newly developed games to test their knowledge, skill and athleticism based on their own selections. The activities are set to begin May 1, and the events will occur daily with the exceptions of the weekends.
Day & Genda owner Pat Day stated that some of the participants last year had dedicated their time to the events since its inception more than 20 years ago by former owner Mark Genda for Senior Month in May. Last year, around 50 participants registered to compete.
The 2023 games kicked off with an opening ceremony including the lighting of the “Candle of Friendship and Competition” followed by a competitive round of trivia. As the game drew on, the teams, representing four countries that were present at each game throughout the month, sounded off with a hand clapper, a squeaking pig, a squeaking fox and a bell to vie for the coveted trivia points. Each participant was assigned a team from Australia, Ireland, Canada and Madagascar that they represented at each activity. This year, the countries represented will be shaken up once again.
“When they play their events, they represent those countries, but there’s also just the camaraderie of that competition and fun just playing the games,” Day said in a previous interview. “We’ll have an opening ceremony. We’ll nominate some flag bearers, and they’ll post the flags. We’ll play their national anthems, and I’m sure a lot of them may have never even heard the national anthems.”
Day stated last year that the main goal of the events is to encourage seniors to become active while forming new friendships with fellow locals with similar interests without dampening the competitive atmosphere. Last year, the events included putt-putt golf, euchre, shuffleboard, bridge, pickleball and much more, but this year, events that may return are walking events while an event that may not return due to a low turnout in 2023 is golf.
“It’s beneficial to them, especially after COVID and getting back to more of the world as we knew it and not as we know it, to get back out, get back into the normal routine, catch back up with friends and make new friends,” Day said. “It’s a chance for good fellowship. For some of them with health issues and things like that may not have the opportunity to get out very often.”
Following last year’s successful season, Day stated that one of the most enjoyable aspects of the Senior Olympics every year is watching the competitiveness that transpires throughout the numerous activities while the participants attempt to maintain their dedication to friendship and friendly competition.
“It was a lot of fun,” Day said. “I always get tickled because we all laugh and joke, but then when it comes time to compete, a little bit of seriousness comes over everybody. While we’re having a good time, they still want to win, so you see that friendly competitive fire.”
Last year, Genda expressed that he created the Senior Olympics as he saw the need for camaraderie amongst the senior population in the county and wanted to act as a driving force of fostering friendship amongst likeminded individuals. After 20 years of running the events and handing the torch to Day, Genda stated that last year maintained the spirit and goals that he set forth many years ago. The events also allow for community members to connect with the funeral home staff outside of the business realm, and all seniors are encouraged to take part in the festivities. The organizers offer accommodations, such as a shuttle to help transport participants when needed.
“When there’s four people that play cards all their lives together and all of a sudden one of them can’t play anymore, now the other three aren’t playing either,” Genda said. “That’s what it’s all about for me–introducing people to have new circles of friends. The camaraderie that still goes on here is wonderful.”
The Senior Olympics continue throughout the month of May and conclude with a closing ceremony in the first part of June. At the closing ceremony, the organizers will present gold, silver and bronze medals to the participants and teams while also recognizing the team with the highest medal count.
“While it’s not as fancy as the real Olympics, we try to have a little semblance to it there,” Day said. “Everybody places, and we want fun more than anything, but they’re competitive.”
For more information about the upcoming Senior Olympics, visit dayandgenda.com.