Owensboro Regional Recovery celebrated nine years as a drug and alcohol abuse treatment center located in Owensboro in February. Each year, the center celebrates National Recovery Month with their Recovery Celebration and Alumni Day. This year, the event will begin at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7 at the center located at 4301 Veach Rd.
Over 600 people are expected to attend the annual celebration, said Hailey Hidenrite, outreach and development coordinator for Owensboro Regional Recovery.
“This event isn’t just for people in recovery,” Hidenrite said.
The annual event will begin with a Recovery Month Proclamation for the city of Owensboro and Daviess County read by a local government official. Judge-Executive Al Mattingly and City Commissioner Larry Conder are expected to attend the event.
Following keynote speakers, the events and activities will begin. Along with the popular pony rides and fishing tournament, Hidenrite said there are several new events, including the Recovery Olympics.
“It’s basically every backyard game you are used to playing,” Hidenrite said of the dizzy bats, sack races, egg toss and tug of war.
The organizers have added a turkey toss, which involves throwing a frozen turkey and competing for the longest throw.
Treatment providers for Owensboro Regional Recovery are sponsoring a volleyball tournament, and there is also a cornhole tournament where participants pay an entry fee, but the winner receives all of the money from the entries.
“Everything is free for those who attend minus the cornhole and raffle items,” Hidenrite said. “Of course people are able to donate money to help support the day.”
Hidenrite is excited about the new events that have been added for the families of clients and past clients, especially the 40-foot inflatable obstacle course.
“It is good to see recovery, and that it’s possible,” Hidenrite said. “Everyone in some way knows someone with a substance abuse problem.”
Information about the event can be found at Owensboro Regional Recovery’s Facebook page.
