Orange County Senior Games Offer Winning Opportunities for All

Annual event celebrates active aging with sports, arts, and community

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The 2026 Orange County Senior Games will offer a wide range of athletic competitions, creative arts exhibitions, and social activities for adults aged 50 and over. With over 3,400 participants statewide, the games highlight North Carolina's leadership in promoting healthy aging through friendly competition and camaraderie.

Why it matters

The Orange County Senior Games provide an inclusive platform for older adults to stay active, showcase their talents, and build community connections. By offering diverse events beyond just traditional sports, the games challenge stereotypes about aging and demonstrate that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing passions and living life to the fullest.

The details

The games feature athletic competitions in 18 different sports, including archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, pickleball, and track and field. The SilverArts program also celebrates creative expression through categories like visual arts, performing arts, and heritage arts. Events take place across various locations in southern Orange County, with the exception of bowling, which is held in neighboring Mebane due to a lack of alleys in the local area.

  • The 2026 Orange County Senior Games will kick off on Thursday, April 16 and run through May 6.
  • SilverArts participants must submit their entries by April 9 for display during the opening event.

The players

Mark Herboth

President of the Chapel Hill Camera Club and one of the ambassadors tasked with promoting the Orange County Senior Games.

Tom Swanekamp

One of the ambassadors working to raise awareness and participation in the Orange County Senior Games.

Sharon Roggenbuck

An 87-year-old ambassador and advocate for the Orange County Senior Games, known for her active participation in events like cycling.

Latonya Brown

The Orange County Senior Games Coordinator who can provide more information about registering for the events.

North Carolina Senior Games

The statewide organization that oversees the local Senior Games events, including the one in Orange County.

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What they’re saying

“North Carolina does lead the country in participation in Senior Games.”

— Mark Herboth, President, Chapel Hill Camera Club (The Local Reporter)

“Our biggest challenge is that people are simply unaware of the Senior Games.”

— Mark Herboth, President, Chapel Hill Camera Club (The Local Reporter)

“Another misconception that people have is that it's all athletic. So we're really emphasizing the SilverArts and the performing arts.”

— Sharon Roggenbuck, Ambassador, Orange County Senior Games (The Local Reporter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Orange County Senior Games provide a unique opportunity for adults 50 and over to stay active, showcase their talents, and build community connections through a wide range of athletic, creative, and social activities. By challenging stereotypes about aging, the games demonstrate that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing passions and living life to the fullest.