Promoting wellness and engagement stands at the heart of the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center’s mission.

It is a focus shared by the Cranston Senior Games presented by CVS Pharmacy, which will return for the 19th year in September.

“It takes a community to put this event on,” said Sue Stenhouse, executive director of the Cranston Department of Senior Services, praising CVS, Cranston city employees and the many volunteers who “pull resources together to make this event happen.”

The Senior Games have grown significantly over the years, and the 2014 lineup will feature a golf tournament, archery and a range of other activities. Seniors from across Rhode Island are being invited to participate.

“It’s just blossomed into this,” said Stenhouse.

The opening ceremonies of the main event are scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 27 at Cranston High School West, located at 80 Metropolitan Ave. Registration begins that day at 8 a.m. in West’s dining room, with a buffet breakfast to be served. Hundreds are expected to turn out.

Throughout the day, participants will test their skills in the 50-yard dash, javelin throw, long jump, horseshoes, basketball free throw contest and softball throw. There will also be “baggo” – a bean-bag toss game – along with an obstacle course and mind games.

The Cranston West Band and Falconettes and students from the University of Rhode Island and New England Tech will assist during the gathering. Stenhouse said former professionals and experts in the various competitions will help run the events.

“We also encourage the community to come out that day,” she said.

The games will kick off Thursday, Sept. 23 with the golf tournament, which runs for four days at the Cranston Country Club on Burlingame Road. There is a $60 registration fee, and space is limited to 144 golfers each day.

Participants can visit the Cranston center at 1070 Cranston St. to register, or call 780-6000 for additional details and to have a registration form mailed.

Activities are also being held at other locations in Cranston and Warwick as part of the games.

A bocce tournament will be held Sept. 26-27 at Santa Maria diPrata at 29 Walnut Grove Ave. in Cranston, while cycling will take place Sept. 25 along the Cranston Bike Path with parking at Sherman Avenue.

The Cranston YMCA at 1225 Park Ave. will host swimming and three-on-three basketball on Sept. 27, while Lang’s Bowlarama on Niantic Avenue in Cranston will hold 10-pin bowling the same day. Legion Bowl & Billiards at 661 Park Ave. will host billiards on Sept. 27 and duckpin bowling on Sept. 26-27.

Archery, a new addition to this year’s lineup, will be held at Tangy’s Archery Lanes at 200 Bald Hill Road in Warwick on Sept. 27.

A finale banquet for registered participants in the games is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the West Valley Inn on Blossom Street in West Warwick. Registration additionally includes lunch, a T-shirt, other goodies and access to various health clinics held during the event.

Stenhouse praised CVS for its support of the games.

“They gave us a huge grant to put this on,” she said. “They really believe in health and wellness.”

The games afford the Cranston center an opportunity to continue its outreach to younger seniors. Stenhouse pointed to the facility’s large number of patrons in their 80s and 90s as a testament to the value of elders staying active and involved – “We see it every day,” she said – and noted that the center is working to expand its offerings to those seniors who continue to work or have childcare obligations for family during the day.

“The world has changed so much in 20 years. Many younger seniors are working into their 70s,” Stenhouse said. “These are things that the younger seniors can engage with … So many people don’t know what goes on behind these walls.”

A key part of that push has been the “Center After Six” program, which will begin with what Stenhouse called an “open house” session on July 24 featuring an “Arts Uncorked” program. The center is actively seeking feedback from younger seniors regarding what kind of programming they would like to see during evening hours.

“We’ve got so many opportunities to do so many different things here,” she said.