HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The 39th Annual Pennyrile Senior Games is happening this week in Hopkinsville, with participants coming from Christian County and surrounding areas to compete in a dozen activities over the span of three days at the Sportsplex.
Jacob Gibson, Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation programs coordinator, told Christian County Now that around 190 people signed up this year. He said, “A lot of what we do in parks and recreation is for the younger generations, but then we also try and do something for the older generation and get them out of their normal schedule.”
The games are open to anyone in the region above the age of 50, with divisions broken up into age groups extending to 90-years of age and older. For some participants, this is something new to try, and for other’s it’s an annual tradition and a chance to meet up with old friends.
The event kicked off on Monday with pickleball, bowling and indoor disc golf, with the tops of each category receiving medals throughout the day that they can show off for the rest of the week. Going into the second day, the morning started with opening ceremonies and a one mile walk around the Sportsplex, which was completed by top competitors in under 13 minutes.
The softball throw and corn toss was next, with more activities coming later in the day through Wednesday such as the disc throw, bingo, horseshoes, croquet, shuffleboard and basketball shooting. The event was open to all seniors in the nine county Pennyrile Area.
“It’s great community building,” added Gibson. Although it is a friendly competition and the days are filled with conversation and laughter, participants were diligent about practicing and putting their best effort in each sport. This event is not specific to Hopkinsville, with the Kentucky Senior Games taking place in Bowling Green and the National Senior Games held in Oklahoma.
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