The Armstrong County Seniors Compete During Special Games This Week

by Jake DeLuca

The Armstrong County Senior Games are back and better than ever, celebrating an important milestone for the event.

Mellisa Facemyer has been in charge of the Armstrong County Senior Games since they started in
1986.

“This is our 30th anniversary and I have been doing them all for thirty years. We started back in 1986, the first Senior Games started in Freeport and then we got started here in Armstrong County,” Facemyer said.

Yesterday afternoon Kings Lanes in Kittanning hosted one of the most popular events for the Senior Games and participation was high.

“We’ve had over 200 (participants) a few years, but we usually get 150 or 160. Bowling has always been a part of the Senior games, but we have added new games like the corn toss (corn hole) and horse shoes. We have also added non-physical games for those who aren’t able to do the more physical events. For those we have text twist, word search, trivia, games like that,” said Facemyer

Winners for these events are all judged and determined differently and the winners are given a prize for first, second and third place.

“There’s different age categories for different events. It depends on the physicality of the event on how much we break it down, we have first second and third places. For first place we have a medal with a neck band and second and third place get ribbons.,” Facemyer said.

In addition to the many games and activities to be done during the Armstrong County Senior Games, the participants also get a good lunch!

“We have a nutrition group to donate the buffet, so that’s free. The commissioners usually come too, and all three are coming this year to support the Senior Games,” Facemyer added.

With that kind of support, it’s no wonder why these games have been such a success for such a long time. The lunch isn’t the only prize to be had at these events, thanks to the sponsors.

“They all get a t-shirt and we get sponsors to put their logos on the shirts. With some of the sponsors the participants will get freebies in their bag as well,” Facemyer said.

The Senior Games will have their one mile run at 7:00 A.M. tomorrow and the one mile run after that at 8:00 A.M. After that the games will continue at the community park at 8:45 before heading to the YMCA for swimming at 11:00. At 11:30 lunch is served before moving on to women’s billiards and cards.

The Senior Games will be holding their awards buffet at 4:00 P.M. at the Kittanning Sr. Center, and you must RSVP if you want to attend.

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