WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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Foursquare, dodgeball and musical chairs are just a few of the many games that frequented our childhoods. Bloomington Parks and Recreation is bringing these memories back for adults, but with a twist.
The second annual Adult Winter Recess took place Saturday, Feb. 17th at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center. A plethora of throwback recess games, concessions, and craft beer were offered to the 21+ adults that registered to attend the event.
Community Events Coordinator Crystal Ritter discussed the purpose of Adult Winter Recess.
“We wanted to create an event that really encouraged adults to get out, have fun, play with each other, do some competitive games, do some creative things. And it was kind of an idea to do a throwback event that kind of was reminiscent of summer camp, or like field day at your school that you went to while growing up,” said Ritter.
Among the “throwback” recess games were 80s and 90s themed portraits, crafts and music.
*cue sound of music from event*
“We have some other throwback activities as well, that will really take you back a little bit. Plus we play music of the 90s and 2000s as well to kind of throwback. And just lots of fun activities that we hope people will enjoy and also be a little bit active or creative,” Ritter said. “The music really helps set the scene and we use the music in several different capacities. One of the most popular events the last couple of years has been one-hit wonder musical chairs.”
Ritters expressed that Adult Winter Recess and other similar Parks and Recreation events can serve as rare opportunities for community members to get out of the house and have fun with other adults around Bloomington.
“I think what draws people to our winter recess and adult field day events is just kind of a low barrier way to come out and have fun, to interact with other adults. We don’t really get that opportunity. A lot of times if we’re going out, we’re going out with our friends or we’re going to something specific and this program really encourages you,” said Ritter.
Bloomington Community Member Katie Thompson missed out on the summer version of Adult Recess, but was ecstatic to attend this one.
“A friend of mine went to the summer recess and said it was super fun. I wasn’t able to go and so when I saw this, I was super excited. Also, pretty much everything that is happening I like including the games, and the crafts, and the alcohol. Yeah, very exciting.” said Thompson.
Thompson’s favorite recess game as a kid was foursquare, she explains why.
“As a kid, I hit up the Foursquare. I feel like I did some Foursquare. I was not great at it, but I was really bad at pretty much everything else. So, Foursquare was as good as it was gonna get,” said Thompson.
The Adult Field Day in July will be the next opportunity for those 21 and over to act like little kids on the playground again, either as a volunteer or event goer.
“I think adult winter recess and adult field day, the winter and summer versions, have been really popular events. And we’re going to continue doing them and create more adult oriented programming that gets adults out and playing in our parks and facilities and just remembering what it is to have fun,” Ritter said. “Occasionally, one of the cool things about being an event coordinator is we get to come up with these awesome events, but we always make sure that people who are either volunteering or working the event have a chance to kind of have some fun too.”
Thompson just has one request for the next Adult Winter Recess.
“We wish it was longer. Like two hours, I feel like there’s not enough time to do everything that’s here,” said Thompson.
