The seniors have a long history of involvement with the CVS Senior Olympics through the years, but this June the Smithfield Senior Center will be hosting their very own summer games. It will be the first of its kind at the senior center, and the friendly competition will take place on Tuesday, June 11, with the following day being reserved in case of rain.
There will be six separate events offered, including bocce, pickleball, cornhole, basketball free throws, golfing chip shots, and timed distance walking.
You don’t have to be a member of the senior center to participate. If you’re a resident of the town, 55 or older, you’re eligible. Also, if you reside from another town but are either a member of the Smithfield Senior Center or the Smithfield YMCA, you are also eligible.
Participants must fill out an application and a liability form available at the Senior Center and the YMCA. There is a $10 participation fee, and that will include lunch, a shirt, a swag bag, and the winners of each event will be awarded medals. An opening ceremony will mark the start of the day’s events, and Chris Whitten, of Premeer Realty, will be on hand providing his DJ service and playing everyone’s favorite songs. If I were to hazard a guess, I would think that the crowd might hear Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days playing a time or two that day.
Participants can sign up for as many events as they want, and if you’re reading this, you still have time to join in on the fun. Registration ends on May 31.
Kate McAdam-Prickett, the center’s Activity Director, had been considering such an event for several years, and this seemed the right time to organize a day of competitive fun for their seniors to enjoy. She expects there to be tremendous interest, especially in the uber-popular cornhole, as well as pickleball.
“We have a very popular cornhole program happening at the senior center,” Kate says. “It’s mind-blowing how good these people are. We have a 92-year-old member who plays, and the YMCA has someone who is 94. It’s great to see so many getting involved.”
Kate stresses that this event is happening because of the partnership the Smithfield Senior Center has with the Smithfield YMCA, along with the assistance of Senator David P. Tikoian, as well as the Smithfield Fire Department, the EMA, the town Parks & Recreation Department, and all the individual volunteers and businesses within the community such as Premeer Real Estate and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of RI.
The Smithfield Senior Summer Games is something Kate is excited about, and everyone involved shares her enthusiasm.
“We have such an incredible group of seniors, or what we now refer to as ‘Super-Agers,’” Kate says. “Our center has been growing more and more since Covid, and I am so excited to have this special competition for our members, the YMCA members and anyone over 55 in Smithfield.”
While Kate and everyone else is focused on June 11, she hopes to make the games an annual event, perhaps even doing some indoor events during the winter. Shauna and Torie from the YMCA have such great ideas for a Winter Games for Seniors.
We’ll have to wait and see about that, but for now keep Tuesday, June 11 open on your calendar. Hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled by members of the Smithfield Police Department, will be available to all, free to participants, same for all your favorite frozen summer treats from Mumsy’s Ice Cream Delights truck, which will be on site.
Athlete check-in time is 8:00am, followed by the opening ceremony at 9:00am.
Whether you are an active participant or an observer of the Smithfield Senior Center Summer Games Day, you will enjoy a full day of festivities and fun.
