By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
Golden Games returned to North Platte on Thursday, June 18, bringing together seniors from across the area for a day of games, entertainment, prizes and community fellowship.
Held at the North Platte Recreation Center as part of NebraskaLand Days, the annual event is open to adults age 55 and older and has become a longstanding tradition for many participants.
Golden Games Treasurer and North Platte Senior Center Director Becky Blume said the event traces its roots back to 1974 when it was originally known as the Senior Olympics.
“It’s their one day a year where it’s just them,” Blume said. “There are always events for children, families and other groups throughout the year, but this is a day dedicated to the senior population.”
The event began with coffee, donuts and opening ceremonies before participants spread throughout the recreation center to take part in 15 different games and activities. Among the most popular attractions were mini golf, blackjack, bingo, bowling, cornhole, ladder ball, steer roping, Plinko and the Sweet Treat Walk.
Participants who completed every game received an entry into the grand prize drawing for two NebraskaLand Days concert tickets.
Blume said veteran Golden Games participants often develop strategies for navigating the event, including tackling outdoor games such as cornhole, ladder ball and steer roping early in the day before temperatures rise.
While some participants focus on completing every activity, others spend more time competing in their favorite games. According to Blume, mini golf and blackjack consistently draw some of the most competitive players.
The event also featured lunch and entertainment from Frontier Revue, allowing participants to relax before returning for an afternoon of games.
In addition to the grand prize drawing, participants had opportunities to win game-specific prizes, door prizes donated by local businesses and smaller rewards throughout the day, including candy bars, novelty prizes and 50-cent pieces awarded during bingo.
Blume, who has been involved with Golden Games for approximately 17 years, said seeing participants enjoy themselves makes months of planning worthwhile.
“It all comes down to one day,” she said. “But then that one day is worth it. You see people having fun and smiling, and that’s why we do it.”
Organizers estimate that around 200 people participated in this year’s event, with support from volunteers, local businesses and community organizations helping make the day possible.
As Golden Games continues its decades-long tradition, Blume said the goal remains the same: providing local seniors with a day dedicated entirely to fun, friendship and community.