Backyard Olympics 2010
FIELD DAY FOR ADULTS!
You know, there’s just something about standing around in a group of your peers, nervously waiting to hear your name called to be on a team that takes you right back to the days of grade school - whether you like it or not.
And ensuring that none of us forget those days, each summer in July, the Hadley family hosts Backyard Olympics at their east side home.
Nearly a hundred friends, family, colleagues and neighbors come out with their game-faces on to compete in a series of sports that kick off with, well, kickball and continue with disc toss, basketball, cornhole, horseshoes, dizzy bat balance beam (my personal fave), egg toss and the new additions this year, ‘Minute to Win It - Noodling Around’ and ‘Nervous Nelly.’ (Just Google it if you need a visual.)
“The ‘Backyard Olympics’ is where champions are born,” said event founder and Nashville’s rising star of cosmetic dentistry Dr. Thomas Hadley of East Side Smiles. “It’s an honor to host an event where masters of strength, balance, precision and speed compete at such a high level…and it’s a great party too.”
Indeed it is as the Hadleys do it right with a fully catered affair and kegs of local brew to spare, some of which was brewed right on site from the newly developed East Nashville Brewing Company. But of course, that particular refreshment is left strictly to the adults to enjoy which is probably why for the second year in a row, a child has taken home the gold medal.
That’s right folks, ten-year old Jonah Kanies schooled all the grown ups and swept this year’s games to take home the gold and his family couldn’t be more proud.
Special recognition also goes to Lisa Marie DiLuigi who scored the silver medal and Marin Miller who took the bronze. They were the first ever ladies to medal at the Backyard Olympics, now in it’s fourth year.
All proceeds from the event this year were donated to Friends of Shelby Bottoms Park and there may soon be a new disc golf course on the east side thanks to the donation.
Next year, I’m hoping for a three-legged race, an obstacle course a la Wipeout and a separate division for kids under 12 so I can finally take home a medal!
