This year, after skipping a year because of the pandemic, Senior Day attracted more than 300 racers to the event, which included racing down the hill and attending a health and wellness fair.
“I’m a bit of a risk-taker,” said Tallmadge resident Ann McClellan, 82, who drove Derby Downs in tandem with her friend Dick Reyman. “The next thing is going to be a zip line.”
“It was really fun,” Reyman said, but he draws the line at jumping out of airplanes.
Another couple, Matt and Patty Colledge, also sped down the hill in Derby cars this year. The couple joked about it being the same hill Matt and his buddies attempted to ride down on skateboards and bicycles as kids.
Linda Thomas and her sister, Brenda Speas, raced down the hill alongside Speas’ sister-in-law Karen Speas. The women said it was a bucket-list thing.
Some attendees were former Derby car drivers.
Bill Nettles raced over four years in the early ‘60s, finishing among the top nine in Akron one year, he said.
For Senior Day, he sported a commemorative helmet designating the 50th anniversary of the Derby. Over the years, Nettles has watched his sons, Ron and Kevin, race Derby cars, as well as a niece and a grandson.
At the wellness fair, attendees were able to interact with physicians, and have health and blood pressure checks. Senior Day included live music and a catered lunch.
