Skatenight 2025: Seniors, Skates, and a Few Band-Aids
The lights were flashing, the disco ball was spinning, and the Rivergate Skate Center in Goodlettsville, TN, transformed into a time machine Wednesday night. But instead of teenagers zipping around the rink like it was 1980, it was senior citizens lacing up skates for one last shot at reliving their glory days.
Let’s just say this: the rink was filled with equal parts excitement, memories, and ibuprofen.
Freedom in a Bottle (With a Side of Bengay)
For many, skating was once the ultimate taste of freedom. Back in the day, kids rolled into the rink by bike, go-kart, or with a ride from Mom and Dad, and suddenly, life felt bigger. A Coke, a slice of pizza, and a lap around the rink meant you were living the dream. The honeys were out too, still enjoying their pizza just like back in the day.
Fast forward a few decades, and here we were again. Some folks were standing outside and hanging in the parking lot, waiting hours before seven like it was a Bon Jovi concert. One thing I did notice was the rides had changed a lot. No more 1979 Plymouth Horizons or rusty station wagons coughing smoke as they pulled in. Nope, this time it was jeeps on 35’s so tall you needed a step stool, a rope, and maybe a stunt double just to climb down to the ground. Honestly, some of these jeeps on 35’s looked like the grown-up version of roller skates—four wheels, flashy, and guaranteed to turn a few heads.
Inside, I saw skates carried in cases, bags, and slung over shoulders. A few even dusted off skates from the 80s that looked like they had survived a MTV music video, glow-in-the-dark slap bracelets, and about 10 gallons of Aquanet hairspray. And yes, I’m pretty sure one pair still had Strawberry Shortcake stickers on them.
The “Lisa-Lisa” Effect
Credit for the night’s success goes to event planner Lisa-Lisa, who pulled off what can only be described as a miracle of scheduling. Friday and Saturday nights were booked solid, so Wednesday was the chosen night. And judging by the turnout, nobody cared what day it was. They just wanted their shot at skating glory.
Skaters rolled in from all over the area, proving that cherished memories are stronger than time itself. Well, cherished memories and maybe gravity, because gravity definitely had its fun last night.
Skates of All Shapes and Sizes
The skates themselves were a sight to see. There were brand new skates, well-loved skates, borrowed skates, and some that looked like they’d been rebuilt using parts from a lawnmower. Carol Sullivan even had new bearings overnighted from Amazon so she could “get her groove on” with her bestie, Traci. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is.
And let me tell you, the outfits were on point. The gals came dressed straight out of the 80s: neon colors, scrunchies, and enough glitter hairspray to set off a fire alarm. For one night, it was like the 1980s had come back, minus the perms and mixtapes.
A Few Bumps, No Breaks and only a single Band-Aid
Of course, skating in your golden years comes with certain risks. There were a couple bumps and bruises, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a good old-fashioned Band-Aid from my trusty First Aid bag. Thankfully, the only thing broken last night was a sweat and maybe a few ego’s.
By the end of the night, everyone was laughing, singing along to old tunes, and rolling around the rink like they were kids again. Sure, they might feel more like “over-the-hillers” by morning, but for a few shining hours, they were teenagers with wheels under their feet and rhythm in their hearts.
And maybe, just maybe, there were a lot of 50-and-over skaters out there, but they sure looked as cute as they did when they circled that rink as kids. Now for the guys, thank you for leaving the mullets at home and bringing bald back as the new sexy.
And we can’t forget these three cuties who have been besties for years. Seriously, don’t even try to tell me they aren’t absolutely owning it as Gen Xers. Between the matching shirts, the retro vibes, and the laughter echoing around the rink, they’re basically proof that friendship only gets cooler with age. Move over, teenagers these ladies are showing how it’s really done. Love the shirts, girls!
A Night to Remember
So here’s to Skatenight 2025. To Lisa-Lisa, who once again nailed it, just like the last cruise. To the Rivergate Skate Center, for opening its doors to memories in motion. And to every senior who dared to lace up and skate one more time, you proved that age might slow you down, but it sure can’t stop you from having fun.
