It was off to the races Tuesday morning as more than 200 area senior citizens and volunteers gathered to celebrate the opening of the 2016 Carbon County Senior Games.

The kickoff celebration for the 28th annual event was held at the Lehighton Recreational Center, Eighth and Iron streets. This year's competitors include seniors from Panther Valley, Lehighton, Palmerton, Weatherly and Jim Thorpe/Penn Kidder senior centers.The opening ceremony began with a presentation of colors by members of the Panther Valley JROTC and the singing of the national anthem by Jim Thorpe team member Martha Moyer.Anne Horrigan, coordinator of the games, welcomed everyone and then introduced guest speakers.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard spoke about his friend who recently passed away and asked the participants to dedicate this year's games to a loved one, a friend or a family member.Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein provided a few laughs as he announced that the games bring out the "stud muffins" and "sexy ladies."He commended everyone for coming out and participating and wished everyone luck.Susan Zeigler, administrator of Carbon County's Area Agency on Aging, the organization that puts on the games annually, encouraged everyone to eat healthy to stay healthy.Participants then recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the senior games oath before Horrigan announced the official start of the games."Let the games begin," she said.The 2016 Carbon County Senior Games will continue through May 12 for county residents age 60 and older. Locations for this year's events include the Lehighton Recreational Center, Jim Thorpe/Penn Kidder Senior Center, Panther Valley Senior Center, Nesquehoning VFW, Fairview Hose Company of Jim Thorpe, Heisler's Dairy Bar, Cypress Lanes, Fritz's Lanes and Baer Memorial Field.The games will conclude at 4 p.m. on May 12 with a banquet at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall.Daily results of the 2016 Carbon County Senior Games will be published in the Times News. Check it out every day to see who is leading this year's competition, and visit tnonline.com to see pictures of each day's events in the online photo galleries.