By Terence Faries, Contributing Writer
Andrews – At 9 a.m. Saturday, the Cherokee/Clay County Senior Games opening day ceremony will kick off three weeks of non-stop games and fun for local seniors at Andrews Recreation Park.
There will be competitions in 20 sports and games, along with more than 40 categories of arts and crafts in the SilverArts Showcase competition. Immediately following the ceremony, participants will start the game schedule with the football throw, softball throw, basketball shooting, shot put, discus and 1,500-meter power-walk events.
Everyone who is ages 50 and over and a resident of Cherokee, Clay or Graham counties is invited to participate in the Senior Games. There is still time, as you can even show up at game time, register and play.
For those with a slightly competitive streak, this year, all sports competitors qualify for the state finals to be held later in the year. In SilverArts, only the first three places in each of the Heritage and Visual Art categories, the first two places in the Literary Art category and the Best in Show in the Performing Arts qualifiers for the finals.
Here is the schedule of events for next week.
Monday, May 2
9 a.m. – 5K road race starting at in the Murphy Health & Fitness parking lot.
10 a.m. – Horseshoes at Konehete Park in Murphy.
1 p.m. – Chess at the Murphy Art Center.
Tuesday, May 3
9 a.m. – Bowling doubles at UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel in Murphy.
Wednesday, May 4
9 a.m. – Pickleball (women’s singles/men’s doubles) at Hayesville courts.
Thursday, May 5
9 a.m. – Pickleball (women’s doubles/men’s singles) at Murphy courts.
Noon-3 p.m. – Deadline to drop off Heritage and Visual Art entries at the Murphy Art Center.
Friday, May 6
9 a.m. – Pickleball (mixed doubles) at Hayesville courts.
Saturday, May 7
9 a.m. – Track and field events (400-meter and 1,500-meter runs, standing and running long jumps) at Murphy High School track.
For details, visit cherokeecountyseniorgames.org or call Penland Senior Center in Murphy at 837-2467.