Community Comes Together to Give Seniors a Day of Pure Joy on a Giant Slip 'N Slide

June 25, 2026

Who says giant slip 'n slides are just for kids?

At a senior living community in Tennessee, residents traded walkers for inner tubes and spent a day laughing, splashing, and embracing their inner child during a one of a kind summer celebration.

Credit: NewsChannel 5

The annual Ride 'n Slide event at Adams Place in Murfreesboro brought together residents, caregivers, firefighters, and college football players for a day that was about much more than getting wet.

It was about creating joy.

A massive tarp stretched across the lawn became the centerpiece of the festivities. The Murfreesboro Fire Department kept the slide soaked and ready while helping residents safely get on and off the tubes. Members of the Middle Tennessee State University football team were also there, lending a hand and cheering participants on every step of the way.

Among those preparing for the ride was resident Mike Mitchell, an Army veteran and retired Church of Christ minister who served for 60 years.

As he slowly made his way toward an inner tube, Mitchell gave himself a little pep talk.

"I can do this," he said. "I'm a soldier, I can do this."

For many residents, the event offered something priceless: a chance to forget their challenges for a while and simply have fun. Organizers say even seniors living with dementia or Parkinson's disease light up during the experience.

One of the MTSU football players said helping the residents was rewarding in its own right.

"Being able to help them up, it's a blessing just to make people's day, make them happy," he said.

And judging by the laughter echoing across the lawn, mission accomplished.

The event has become a beloved tradition at Adams Place, proving that you're never too old for summer fun. For one afternoon, age didn't matter. Diagnoses didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was the joy of flying across a giant slip 'n slide surrounded by people cheering you on.