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The annual Celebration Games, a kind of friendly Olympics among the residents of Celebration, have been rescheduled.  Originally slated for the traditional third and fourth weekends in February, they are now scheduled for the first two weekends in November.  The postponement avoids an overlap with the Celebration K-8 School Artrageous event that will benefit the School’s Tech-up Program.  When the Games finally occur in November, they will include three new events: kickball, Wii tournament, and Bocce.  In contrast to the regular international Olympics, all age residents will be able to participate in many of the events. 

Last February, a record number of Celebration participants turned out for the annual town event.  In spite of busy schedules of work, school, children, and other civic events, hundreds of spirited residents of all ages participated in the sometimes-chilly, early-morning air to have fun together competing for bragging rights among the town villages.  For the second year in a row, the Western District, comprised of Celebration Main Village, West Village, and Lake Evelyn, captured the most points.

Robin Malatino, one of the main organizers of the Games since they were initiated in 2007, credited the hard work of the District captains, plus ongoing expansion of the Games to more activities and all age groups.  “The first year involved only adults,” she said.  “During the second year we added board games for which children were eligible.  Last year we added some new activities, including croquet, women’s basketball, and a talent show.”

The talent show was particularly a huge success by any measure.  Emceed by Celebration resident DJ and entertainment extraordinaire Joe Magic, the two hour show featured twenty-one acts that included dancing, singing, gymnastics, cheerleading, musical instruments, comedy, and even karate. It was an opportunity for residents of all ages, children, teens, and adults to demonstrate the breadth of talent here in Celebration. The Celebration K-8 School Gymnasium bleachers were filled to overflowing as residents enthusiastically applauded their appreciation, while the judges (Jacqueline Hazen of the Central Florida Talent Agency, Michelle Bastone of Radio Disney, and former child star and current talent agent Stephanie Brown) carefully marked their score sheets. 

With the popularity of video games in our culture today, it was not surprising that “arcade wars” was also an added event last year and were held at the Family Fun Station on Front Street.  It may not be recognized by the International Olympic Committee (at least not yet), but admittedly video games do require a great deal of eye-hand coordination, as well as mental acuity and fast reaction time.  Most importantly, the event had been one more way of including more residents in the Games, not to mention giving children and teens an opportunity to easily best their parents.   This year arcade wars will be replaced by the Wii competition.

Again this year the various villages of Celebration will be organized into four Districts that will compete against one another: East District Pirates (East Village, Roseville Corner, Condo Terraces, and Aquila Reserve), North District  Knights (North Village, Georgetown Condos, and Acadias), Western District Alleycats (Celebration Main Village, West Village, Lake Evalyn, and The Downtown Condos), and South District Leprechauns (South Village, and Artisan Park Homes and Condos).

Residents interested in learning more should go to www.celebrationgames.org.

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