The Good Life - Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults

The 2023 Visalia Senior Games, the first since the pandemic, were held over the weekend of November 4-5. This year's games featured competitions in pickleball and table tennis.

"It was great to be back in action after not hosting the Visalia Senior Games since 2019," said Holly Ellis, recreation supervisor for the City of Visalia Parks and Recreation Department.

"We experienced lower participation numbers than previous years, which can be attributed to the time of year, and to various other tournaments and events that occurred in the surrounding communities," she said, noting that pickleball, disc golf and archery competitions were happening at about the same time.

When registration closed on October 20, the planned competitions in archery and disc golf were cancelled due to low registration numbers, according to Eric Ferreira, recreation coordinator for the City of Visalia Parks & Recreation Department.

Registration was "less than anticipated but we did somewhat anticipate having fewer people," he said. "All over California, we're seeing a decrease in participation since the pandemic, even for the (larger senior games)."

Even so, the South Valley tradition will continue.

"We plan on hosting the Visalia Senior Games again in 2024, bringing it back to the original games season – spring," said Ellis.

For news, updates and information about how to participate in the next Visalia Senior Games, visit http://www.liveandplay visalia.com or follow @VisaliaParks.