Before this year’s Senior Fun Fest officially began, a lively pre-event pep rally helped kick off the celebration.
Beginning at 9 a.m., the Huntsville Community Drumline — “Gran-Masters” — energized the crowd with upbeat performances to start the day. A special performance by the Guntersville Senior Center’s Zumba Gold group also had attendees up and moving, while a Homecoming parade featuring kings and queens from each county was made possible through escorts provided by area law enforcement agencies.
This year’s Homecoming Court was selected by each county’s Council on Aging. Representatives included:
DeKalb County
James and Diane Manning were recognized for their 18 years of active participation at the Fyffe Senior Center. James, 88, and Diane, 79, have earned numerous medals through the Alabama Masters Games and are known for their kindness and willingness to help others.
Jackson County
King Jose Miranda, 87, and Queen Roxie Wright, 90, represented the Scottsboro Senior Center. Wright has been active at the center for 25 years, volunteering in the kitchen and competing in the Alabama Masters Games. Last year, she was inducted into the Alabama Masters Games Hall of Fame.
Miranda has attended the Scottsboro center for the past six years, enjoying opportunities to stay active and socialize. He and Wright were selected as the oldest participants from Jackson County attending this year’s event.
Limestone County
Homecoming King James Murrah, 77, and Queen Dorothy Malone, 82, were nominated by their peers at the Tanner Senior Center, where they enjoy playing SkyJo and other card games with friends.
Madison County
Homecoming King Junior Sebright, 93, and Queen Helen Oliver, 91, both attend the Madison Senior Center. They were selected as the oldest attendees from Madison County participating in this year’s Senior Fun Fest.
Marshall County
Homecoming King Beecher Hyde, 95, of the Boaz Senior Center, and Queen Betty Booth, 93, of the Guntersville Senior Center, were honored as the county’s oldest active senior center participants.
Members of the Homecoming Court were escorted in the parade to the stage by law enforcement leaders from across the region. TARCOG expressed appreciation to the Alabama A&M University Department of Public Safety, AAMU mascot BUTCH, DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden and deputies, Jackson County Sheriff Rocky Harnen, Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner, Public Information Officer Brent Patterson, Sgt. Patrick Silver, Detective Pete Roth, Deputy Richard Izzi, Huntsville Police Chief Kirk Giles, Capt. Tony McElyea, and Sgt. Michael Barre for their assistance with the parade.
Pictured in front from left, Marshall County Homecoming Queen Betty Booth, 93, from the Guntersville Senior Center, and Jackson County Sheriff Rocky Harnen. Back row, from left is Jackson County Homecoming King Jose Miranda, 87, and Queen Roxie Wright, 90. Both are from the Scottsboro Senior Center.
Pictured in front from left, Marshall County Homecoming King Beecher Hyde, 95, from the Boaz Senior Center, escorted by Huntsville police Sgt. Michael Barre. Back row, from left, Limestone County Queen Dorothy Malone, 82, and King James Murrah, 77.
Representing DeKalb County was King James Manning, 88, and Queen Dianne Manning, 79, from the Fyffe Senior Center. They were escorted by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Representing Madison County as Homecoming King was Junior Sebright, 93, from the City of Madison Senior Center. He was escorted by Madison County Sheriff’s Investigator Pete Roth.
Representing Madison County as Homecoming Queen was Helen Oliver, 91, from the City of Madison Senior Center. She was escorted by Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Izzi.
The Alabama A&M University Department of Public Safety took the lead in the Homecoming Parade held during Senior Fun Fest 2026 held at the AAMU Agribition Center.
The Guntersville Senior Center Zumba Gold Ladies perform during the Pep Rally at Senior Fun Fest 2026.
The Huntsville Community Drumline — “GranMasters” perform during the Senior Fun Fest Pep Rally.