Saddle up for TARCOG Senior Fun Fest at Agribition Center May 13

HUNTSVILLE – Senior citizens in North Alabama should dust off your cowboy boots because TARCOG is preparing for its 38th annual Senior Fun Fest, which will have a ‘western rodeo-roundup’ theme for 2025.

The Senior Fun Fest is TARCOG’s celebration of Older Americans Month celebration in May.

“It’s going to be a fun-filled day for up to 1,000 seniors from DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties,” Sheila Dessau- Ivey said. Dessau-Ivey serves as TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs.

TARCOG and the Madison County Commission sponsor the Fun Fest each year. Ticket sales and local businesses also provide financial support to offset event costs.

Anyone who is at least 60 years old and lives in the TARCOG region is welcome to attend Senior Fun Fest. The event on May 13 will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Alabama A&M University’s Agribition Center, 4925 Moores Mill Road in Huntsville.

Advance tickets cost $5 through May 2; after that date and on the day of the event, ticket price will be $7. Tickets are available at any senior center in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties or at the TARCOG office, 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville.

“We are excited to see residents from the TARCOG region get together in one place for a day of fun, entertainment and food,” Dessau-Ivey said. “This is an event our entire TARCOG staff works on for several months each year to create a special day to celebrate our aging population.”

Kicking off (or boot-scooting) Senior Fun Fest, a pre-event session of line dancing will be held between 9 and 10 a.m. During the line dance, participants can join the group to loosen up before the festivities begin. After a short welcome ceremony at 10 a.m., activities will include rounds of BINGO and a photo booth for souvenirs. New for Senior Fun Fest this year, a talent show will give a venue for wannabe entertainers. The fest also will present live entertainment.

Service providers from throughout the region will be set up in the Exhibition Area to provide information and giveaways. “A Masters’ Games area will be available that will allow attendees to play horseshoes, corn hole, Nerf ball throw and basket pong,” Dessau-Ivey said.

TARCOG will serve a boxed lunch. Snacks, like popcorn and snow cones, will be available throughout the day.

Attendees will have a chance to win a door prize. “Seniors who would like to submit a family recipe for possible inclusion in an upcoming statewide cookbook may do so at the event,” Dessau-Ivey said.

For more information, call 256-8300818 or visit tarcog.us.