Vintage Game Makes Comeback at the Orlando Shuffle

Here's the press release for the Orlando Shuffle:

A game from Florida's past that has gained new fans in St. Petersburg and Sanford is coming to Orlando on Saturday, October 5, 2013. Shuffleboard, a pastime that celebrates its 100th anniversary in Florida this year, is being revived at the site of the former Delaney Elementary School, which is almost 100 years old as well. 

“The game of shuffleboard is at once easy enough and entertaining enough to be fun for players of all ages,” says organizer Rick Kilby, an Orlando-based graphic designer.  Players use long sticks, or cues, to push disks with just the right amount of force to slide the disks to a desired spot on the court.

The roots of shuffleboard can be traced to 16th-century England, when it was played on tabletops and called “shovegroat.” Once a pastime on ocean liners, the game came on land in Florida at Daytona Beach in 1913 and became so popular in St. Petersburg at one point that the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club claimed more than 5,000 members. 

“My hope is that younger Central Floridians rediscover this fascinating game,” says Kilby, who notes that the St. Pete Shuffle now regularly draws fans of all ages.  “It would be great for this colorful part of Florida’s past to shuffle on into the future.”

The Orlando Shuffle is free, and it’s family-friendly. It will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Beardall Senior Center, at 800 South Delaney Avenue between Orange and Delaney Avenues. Retro attire is encouraged.