TARCOG Senior Fun Fest perseveres at A&M’s Agribition Center

MADISON COUNTY – Despite the weather, senior citizens from Northeast Alabama enjoyed a day of musical and dance performances, games, refreshments, lunch and door prizes at the Senior Fun Fest, presented by the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments or TARCOG.

Organizers moved the event to the Agribition Center at Alabama A&M University to avoid the uncooperative weather. The TARCOG Fun Fest coincided with Older Americans Month.

The 37th annual Fun Fest involved one difference. For the first time in its history, the event was not held at Sharon Johnston Park in New Market.

“It was a tough decision because everyone loves the park,” TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Jordan said. “But the forecasted rain and storms forced a last-minute change to the Alabama A&M Agribition Center, where all activities could be safely held indoors.”

“Aside from a few sprinkles throughout the morning, participants from DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties got to have their annual celebration before storms later in the afternoon,” Jordan said.

Approximately 800 senior citizens participated in the Fun Fest from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The honorary co-chairs of the event were Nancy Robertson, TARCOG’s former Executive Director, and Rene Breland, the agency’s former Director Of Aging Programs. The 2024 Fun Fest was the first regional event since 2019 and since Robertson and Breland retired from the agency.

Co-sponsors for the event were Madison County Commission with Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon and Commissioners Tom Brandon, Violet Edwards and Steve Haraway, who all attended the Fun Fest.

“The event was held in Brandon’s district and the Sharon Johnston Park staff helped throughout the planning process and event day,” Jordan said. “The Agribition Center staff were also integral in making the last-minute venue shift.”

About 40 vendors and exhibitors added to the carnival environment with giveaways, activities and snacks, Jordan said. In addition, the festivities included a cooking lesson, photo sessions and opportunities for health screenings, among the many offerings of the day.

“It was truly a fun day for our seniors,” Jordan said. “We saw a lot of smiling faces and that’s the whole goal of this Fun Fest. We want them to have a day that’s all about them and a chance to feel like a kid again.”

TARCOG’s office address is 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville. For more information, call 256-716-2457 or visit tarcog.us.