Announcing Dates of 2018 Polk Senior Games

The 26th Annual Polk Senior Games are scheduled for February 24 – March 12, 2018. The Games offer a two-week series of 100 athletic and recreational Olympic-style events. They attract nearly 2,600 men and women, 50 and over, with a variety of skills - the serious competitor, the fun at heart, the seasoned athlete, the late bloomer, and the physically challenged. The purpose of the Games is to promote friendly competition, fellowship, health and wellness, an active lifestyle, and volunteerism.

Competition, held at various locations throughout Polk County, is offered in Archery, Badminton, Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, Basketball 3 on 3, Billiards, Bocce, Bowling including Team Bowling, Bridge, Checkers, Chess, Cribbage, Ballroom and Social Dancing, Square Dancing, Darts, Euchre, Field Events, Fishing, Fly Casting, Golf 18 Hole Singles, Mixed Doubles & Putt & Chip, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pepper, Pickleball, Punt Pass Kick, Racquetball, Road Race 5K, Scrabble, Senior Smarts, Shooting – Pistol, Rifle, Skeet, Sporting Clays & Trap, Shuffleboard, Softball, Sudoku, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track, and Walking. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each event and age division.

Registration begins the first week of January. The individual entry fee is $10 for the first event and $3 for each additional event up to a maximum of $28. Fees for team sports are $125 for Softball, $50 for Basketball 3 on 3, $36 for Team Bowling, and $50 for Square Dancing. There are also facility fees for some events. Everyone receives a specially designed T-shirt. A free Closing Celebration for participants, family and friends includes goody bags, health fair, entertainment, special awards, and door prizes.

Polk Senior Games was founded in 1992 by Nancye Thornberry of Lakeland who was inspired by her 70-year old brother competing at the 1991 National Senior Games in Syracuse, NY. With the support of the Polk County community, the Games began in 1992 with 777 entrants. Polk Senior Games has grown to be one of the largest senior games in the country with nearly 2,600 participants in 2017.

Polk Senior Games is a non-profit, 501(c) (3), organization managed by a salaried Executive Director and a volunteer Board of Directors. The Games are presented annually in cooperation with parks and recreation departments, sports and civic organizations and over 700 volunteers.

Polk Senior Games is sanctioned by the Florida Sports Foundation to qualify participants for advancement to the annual Florida Senior Games, which leads to the National Senior Games.

To request an entry booklet to be mailed in January or for more information about participation, volunteering or sponsorships, contact Deena Wilbur at 863-533-0055 or polkseniorgames@verizon.net or check out the website at www.polkseniorgames.org.