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VALLEY — The 2024 Masters Games of Alabama is under way at Valley Community Center. Up to 800 senior adults from all across Alabama are here this week to participate in Olympic-style events with a focus that’s not so much on competition as it is on the fun and fellowship that’s always involved in these Games.

In Monday’s 5 p.m. EDT (4 CT) opening ceremony, athletes in the 50-and-over age group from all over the state marched in to music played by the Valley High Band. There were lots of smiles, arm waving and even some dancing by seniors who absolutely loved their moment in the spotlight. They had all won events in District level competition to make it to the State Games.

“I want to welcome all of you to Valley, Alabama!” said Valley Council Member Randall Maddux as the entire group became seated in the rows of long tables inside the Community Center’s big gym.

Maddux served as the emcee for the welcoming event.

“We have hosted this event several times before, but each one is very special, and we are glad to have you all in Valley for the next few days,” he said.

There was a loud cheer from the big crowd to those remarks.

“I hope you all have a wonderful time in our city,” Maddux added. “We are proud to say that our community is growing. New retail business is locating here and new homes are being built.”

“Boy is it good to see this big crowd gathered here!” said Mayor Leonard Riley. “We love having the Masters Games in Valley. We hope all of you have a pleasant stay here and enjoy yourselves. Good luck in the events you will be taking part in.”

“This is such a beautiful venue to host these Games,” said a spokesperson from the Alabama Department of Senior Services. “We want to thank the Laurie Blount and the Community Center staff for all the work they’ve done in getting ready for the Games. We also thank the many volunteers who have helped. We especially want to thank you, the senior participants, for being here. I know that each one of you has a wonderful story to tell about your life here in Alabama.”

That got a very loud response from the seniors.

She closed by reading a poem making the point that beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Valley Council Member Henry Cooper said the opening prayer and Katelyn DeLoach, a 16-year-old junior at Valley High, beautifully sang the National Anthem.

“We love the small-town feel we have here in Valley and sharing it with visitors,” Laurie Blount told the crowd.

Phil Holmes of Governor Kay Ivey’s Fitness Commission asked the seniors to recite with him the Oath of Athletes. “What we are doing is not about winning medals but about the fun and fellowship we all have,” he said.

Belva Durham of Anniston then circled the crowd carrying an Olympic-style torch and lighted the Masters Games flame to the delight of the crowd.

“Let the Games begin!” said Holmes, to much cheering and applause.

This year’s event has the theme “Peace, Love and Masters Games.” Peace and love was a popular mantra when the Baby Boomers were young in the 1960s.

It’s still appropriate now when they are in their Golden Age.

A big dinner was served at 4:30 CT and the first events took place thirty minutes later. First day events include softball throws and basketball free throws.

Events scheduled for Tuesday included a fun walk. a 5K fun run, rook, cornhole, shuffleboard, billiards and a 5 p.m. dinner and awards banquet.

Wednesday’s events include dominoes, cornhole, billiards. shuffleboard, nerf and frisbee throw. table tennis and a 5 p.m. dinner and themed party. The Games will wrap up on Thursday with a fun walk, bowling in Auburn, dominoes and nerf and frisbee throws.

The Masters Games of Alabama is an organization that provides friendly competition for Alabama residents who are 50 years of age or older in 27 different events. It is a nonprofit organization that promotes healthy lifestyles for active adults 50 and over through social, mental and physical activities. Oxford was the first host site in 1990.