It’s been 30 years since Victor Pituch walked into the Carbon County Area Agency on Aging and said “I have an idea, this is what we’re going to do.”

At that moment, the Carbon County Senior Games were born, first as a one-day event pitting men against men and women against women, then town against town and now senior center against senior center.

On Tuesday, nearly 250 seniors from the five senior centers in Carbon County gathered to compete in the Carbon County Senior Games, an event that has grown in popularity over the last three decades.

The kickoff celebration for the 30th annual event was held at the Lehighton Recreation Center. This year’s competitors include seniors from Panther Valley, Weatherly and Jim Thorpe/Penn Kidder seniors, which make up the North Carbon County team and returning champs, Lehighton and Palmerton senior centers, which make up the South Carbon County team.

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 introduced guest speakers.

Susan Zeigler, administrator of Carbon County’s Area Agency on Aging, the organization that puts on the games annually, spoke about being engaged and involved and how important both things are to living a longer, more fulfilling life.

Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard wished everyone the best during the competition, adding that it is amazing to see so many seniors participating.

He acknowledged the staff who put so much time and effort into the planning of the games to make it what it is for the seniors.

“I want to wish everyone the very, very best of luck,” he said.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein joked with the group and commended everyone for their hard work throughout the year to get ready for the games.

Commissioner William O’Gurek was unable to attend.

Horrigan also recognized Pituch, who at 89 is now a competitor in the games instead of an organizer.

Participants recited the senior games oath before Horrigan announced the official start of the games.

“Game on,” she said.

The 2018 Carbon County Senior Games will continue through May 10 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.

Horrigan said the miniature golf and bowling events will be changed due to the weather forecast on Friday.

Miniature golf at Heisler’s Dairy Bar will now take place on Monday, while bowling and pingpong will be held on Friday.

The games will conclude at 4 p.m. on May 10 with a banquet at Dean Anthony’s in Jim Thorpe

The results of the 2018 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.