About 850 seniors from northeast Alabama turned out Tuesday, May 13, to celebrate Older Americans Month at TARCOG’s Annual Senior Fun Fest in Huntsville. People got there early to participate in line dancing and Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes before the day’s festivities got started
During the opening ceremony, TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Jordan talked briefly about how thankful TARCOG is for the funds that have always allowed the agency to provide services to the aging community through our Area Agency on Aging (AAA). She said with potential federal budget cuts on the table, she and AAA Vice President Lane Delaney involved attendees to record a video to send to federal legislators to let them know how important the services are in their daily lives.
Then, the fun continued with the western Rodeo Roundup theme. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center in Huntsville.
The 38th Annual Senior Fun Fest featured a talent show with entries from DeKalb, Jackson, Madison and Marshall counties.
From a Western swing ballad, a country classic and a HEE-HAW blast from the past, everyone enjoyed the performers in the Western Showdown Talent Show as part of the 2025 Senior Fun Fest.
Thanks to contestants:
Mike Ball, who performed “Miles and miles of Texas,” representing the Huntsville-Madison County Council on Aging
Wilma Shortt, who sang “Hey, Good Lookin’ ” accompanied by Jimmy Ray Weatherby – representing the Jackson County Council on Aging- Alabama
Paying homage to the HEEHAW Gossip Girls was Deva Day, twins Sherry and Terri Landers and Sharon Culpepper from the Ider Senior Center representing DeKalb County Transportation and Council on Aging.
And the winners, the Guntersville Senior Center Zumba Gold Ladies representing the Marshall County Council on Aging.
There was BINGO, photo booths, music and live entertainment. Service providers from throughout the region set up in an Exhibition Area to provide information and giveaways. A Masters Games area was also available allowing attendees to play horseshoes, corn hole, Nerf ball throw, and basketball.
There was popcorn, cotton candy and lunch before the finale with door prizes. The annual is named Fun Fest for a reason, and according to several participants – it lived up to the name because it was used repeatedly to describe it.
This event would not be possible without the generous help of our sponsors AND this year’s event co-coordinators Emmitt Davis and Lydia Weeks. What an incredible job they did leading the TARCOG staff to put on this year’s Fun Fest.
Comments from Fun Fest attendees around the TARCOG Region:
Jackson County
Wilma Shortt, 87, of Scottsboro, sang a Hank Williams classic, “Hey, Good Lookin’ “
In the Western Showdown Talent Show. While she didn’t win, that didn’t bother her. She enjoyed representing Jackson County and the day to celebrate seniors.
“Just being amongst everybody has been fun,” Shortt said. “I love it.”
Mary Ruth Yon, 70, of Scottsboro, said she comes every year and loved “all of it!”
“It was very much fun. I enjoy coming to these and absolutely encourage others to come,” Yon said. “It gets you out of the house, you learn a lot of things, meet a lot of people, play games and it’s fun. It’s a lot of fun!”
Fun is also how Eddy Justice, 76, of Scottsboro, described the day.
“I enjoyed the shows and had a lot of fun,” Justice said.
DeKalb County
Patsy Griggs, 79, of Lookout Mountain, said she enjoyed everything at Senior Fun Fest.
“I really loved all of it,” Griggs said. “I came because I thought it would be a lot of fun and it was and we’re involved with Masters Games, so it was good to participate in that. Plus, she won a prize in Bingo.
It was the second time Denise Harris, 69, of Fort Payne in DeKalb County attended a Senior Fun Fest.
“We enjoy Masters Games a lot, so we got to practice our cornhole and nerf today and we played Bingo,” Harris said. “It has been a fun day.”
Lynn King, who is the manager of the Fort Payne Senior Center said it was good to see all of the seniors having a great time at the event.
Rickey Garner, 68, of Ider, said he liked seeing all the people, and walking around to see everything.
Sherry Landers, 42, of Ider, also enjoyed walking around and meeting new people. She also performed in the talent show with three others from the Ider Senior Center.
Madison County
Richard Garner, 71, of Madison County, said he enjoyed festivities fellowship and all of the excitement.
“I like the Tina Turner Show, what they done, really everything has been great. The staff has been so humble and shown a whole lot of courtesy, and I’ve enjoyed it from beginning to the end.”
Carolyn Jackson, 73, of Madison County, said she and her husband truly enjoyed it.
“This is an excellent setting, there’s room to move around,” Jackson said. “I got to visit with the vendors and play some games then got in here and got my Coke, walked around and then sat down. It’s been great, I look forward to next year.”
Former State Representative Mike Ball represented the Madison County Council on Aging in the Western Showdown Talent Show playing a guitar and singing a western ballad, “Miles and miles of Texas.”
“I always enjoy playing,” Ball said. “I would’ve loved to play more.”
Carolyn Wilson, 75, of Huntsville, said it was good to see so many people truly enjoying the day.
“I worked in the Bingo game and it was sensational – I brought some of Bingo cards with me because they were just fantastic,” Wilson said. “Before I went to the Bingo Room I went to booths and got all of the wonderful things they provided to let us read and do … This is a great event and I loved this for the seniors.”
Emma Pride, 78, of Madison County, attends Senior Fun Fest every year.
“I enjoyed it,” she said. “First of all, I won tons of prizes and got great information for seniors. Overall, it’s been a great experience.”
Arlene McDonald, 67-years-young, of Madison County said she loved it.
“TARCOG put on a great show, did a great job and I thank you,” she said.
Marshall County
Joyce Davis, 76, of Boaz, was a first-time attendee.
“It has been a wonderful day,” Davis said. “I’ve enjoyed it very much and all of the fellowshipping with different people. It’s just been a great day and I look forward to the next one.”
Be sure to check out the video here!
A new cookbook is in the works by the Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) and all 12 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) throughout the state aiming to showcase delicious recipes from each county.
