Delaware County Senior Games back for 2018 from June 11-22
Delaware County senior athletes will have the chance to showcase their athletic skills in the Delaware County Senior Games, set for June 11-22 at venues throughout the county.
More than 650 athletes will compete for medals in a variety of Olympic-style sports such as golf, bowling, table tennis, horseshoes, pickle ball and track & field. This year’s theme is “Engage at Every Age” and residents 50 and older of every skill level are encouraged to participate.
“We are thrilled to once again offer our residents the opportunity to participate in the Senior Games,” said Delaware County Councilman Mike Culp. “The games encourage residents to stay socially and physically active throughout the year and help our residents stay healthy and also build friendships.”
Physical activity, even moderate, can help seniors by improving their quality of life, increasing mental capacity, preventing disease, improving healing, increasing balance, and increasing life expectancy.
The 2018 Senior Games will kick off with Bocce at 9:30 a.m. June 11 at Rose Tree Park. Registration for the games is $15 and is open to all Delaware County residents 50 and older. Registration is required for all events.
This year the Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County is again partnering with the Delaware County Senior Games by not only hosting the Swimming events this year to be held at Ridley High School; but is also offering athletes a free one-month membership at one of two local YMCA’s to help prepare for the games.
The Delaware County Senior Games are sponsored by Delaware County Council, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Destination Delco, and the County of Delaware Services for the Aging (COSA). Co-chairs for the 2018 Senior Games are Marc Manfre, Director of Parks and Recreation, and Denise V. Stewart, Director of COSA.
Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded in every age category and all participating seniors and volunteers receive a free Senior Games T-Shirt. Registration forms and brochures with the event schedule are available at the County Parks Department in Rose Tree Park, at local libraries and senior centers, through the county web site at www. co.delaware.pa.us or at the Senior Games Web site at www.delcoseniorgames.org. The Senior Games hotline is open at 610-891-4663.
The schedule for the 2018 Senior Games is:
• Monday, June 11, 9:30 a.m., Bocce, Rose Tree Park, Media
• Tuesday, June 12, 9 a.m., Singles Bowling Sproul Lanes, Springfield (3 games for $6; free shoe rental); 10 a.m. Table Tennis, Upper Darby Senior Center
• Wednesday, June 13, 8:30 a.m., 9-Hole Golf ($5 greens fee, players provide clubs), Clayton Park Golf Course, Concordville; 9:30 a.m., Singles Billiards, Drexeline Billiards Club, Drexel Hill
• Thursday, June 14, 8:30 a.m., Pickleball Doubles, BYC’s O’Donoghue Fieldhouse, Concordville; 9:30 a.m., Doubles Billiards, Drexeline Billiards Club, Drexel Hill
• Friday, June 15, 8:30 a.m., Pickleball Mixed DoublesBYC’s O’Donoghue Fieldhouse, Concordville; 9 a.m., Horseshoes, Veterans Park, Marple Township
• Monday, June 18, 9 a.m., Wii Bowling, Redwood Community Center, Upland Park; 12:30 p.m., Swimming, Ridley High School
• Tuesday, June 19, 9 a.m., Shuffleboard, Ridley Township Swim Club, Folsom; Singles Women 9 a.m., Men, 12:30 p.m.; 10 a.m., Darts Exhibition, Redwood Community Center, Upland Park
• Wednesday, June 20, 7:45 a.m., 18-Hole Golf, Paxon Hollow Golf Club, Broomall ($30 greens fees, cart included); 1:30 p.m., Doubles Bowling, Men’s/ Women’s/Mixed (3 games for $6, free shoe rental), Sproul Lanes, Springfield
• Thursday, June 21, 9:30 a.m., Mini Golf, Putt-Putt Golf Course, Clifton Heights ($2), 1:30 p.m., Team Bowling, (3 games for $6, free shoe rental), Sproul Lanes, Springfield
• Friday, June 22, 8:30 a.m., Track and Fiel, Upper Darby High School
Havertown Irish fest back June 23
HAVERFORD » Kelly Music for Life again celebrates all things Irish by bringing the music, food, and traditions to the “33rd County of Ireland,” Havertown, with the second annual Havertown Irish Festival from noon-9 p.m. Saturday, June 23. The rear parking lot of Manoa Shopping Center wears green as the center stage for the festival with both traditional and modern Irish sounds. The list of performers includes:
• Barleyjuice
• The John Byrne Band
• Maura McKinney Mastro
• Dylan McGuire Band
• Brittany Killion Carter (2013 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee)
• Philadelphia Emerald Society Pipe Band
More performers are to be announced. Gerry McConnell, founder and board member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians chapter in Havertown, serves as the Grand Marshal for the festival.
“People had so much fun at the first-ever Havertown Irish Festival, they demanded we do it again, said Tom Kelly, chairman and executive director of Kelly Music for Life. “In true Irish form, we welcomed everyone to the ‘33rd County’ and about 8,000 people joined us. The word is out now; we expect a bigger and better Irish celebration this year.”
Along with all day music, the festival features the food with an Irish flair from area restaurants and bars, including the Manoa Shopping Center businesses, and Irish beer at Kelly’s Pub. Irish associations, guilds, and clubs are in attendence to celebrate Irish culture, legends and traditions. Area businesses and non-profits are on hand with information and local artisans and craftspeople have items for sale.
Limited Sponsor and vendor opportunities remain; contact Cindi Rooney at cindirooney@ gmail.com or 610-9960841. Information is available on the Kelly Center for Music, Arts, and Community slated to open later in 2018 at 4 E. Eagle Road, Havertown. The Havertown Irish Festival will be streamed live around the world on iRadioPhilly. For information, visit www.havertownirishfestival.com