The Visalia Parks and Recreation Department decided to open the Visalia Senior Games up to younger age groups, so this year it held “The Visalia Games.”
The 2026 Visalia Games attracted more competitors than the Visalia Senior Games did last year, but that was mainly due to more seniors competing this year than last.
Track and field events attracted 70 competitors, 68 of them were over 50 years old. Track and field awards were divided by age groups to keep things competitive.
This year’s fishing derby also attracted “a lot of seniors,” according to parks and recreation staff.
Continuing a trend from the last few Visalia Senior Games, pickleball had the most competitors at the Visalia Games, even though the competition was only open to those 50 and older.
Younger competitors saved table tennis from being canceled due to low registration. The only sport that was canceled this year was golf.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Visalia Games replace Senior Games with bigger turnout in 2026
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
