Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
SUPER SENIORS
Hundreds take part in annual event to keep themselves in the games
BIRMINGHAM >> Chester County seniors got a warm welcome at the Senior Games Thursday as about 250 participants got together at Brandywine Picnic Park.
According to event coordinator Margee Webb, the event goes back 36 years and welcomes anyone in the county over 50. It is hosted by the county commissioners and the Department of Aging.
Over time the event has changed from a week-long extravaganza including golf, swimming and tennis in different locations, to the one-day picnic and games day at the park. Webb said those events were eliminated because many seniors are still working and find their recreational activities elsewhere.
It was hot this year, but no one seemed to be complaining, and everywhere there were bottles of water and glasses being filled by the workers.
By far the most popular event was bingo, as rows and rows of tables full of players sat listening to numbers and filling their cards under a cool shelter.
After that, individuals and small groups were free to roam around and try their skill at different stations including darts, football throw, basketball, softball throw, bean bag toss, frisbee putting, horseshoes, table
tennis and bocce.
At the end of the day, prizes were awarded to the winners in each category by age group and gender.
The Chester County Senior Games also goes by the additional name of the Chester County Senior Picnic. At it was sumptuous. At 11:45 a.m. all the participants were call to receive their plates containing freshly barbecued chicken and all the fixings.
The suggested donation for participation was $3. The games began at 9 a.m. with an exhibitor fair and opening remarks and continued until 2 p.m.