Seniors enjoy a day at the Cullman County Fair

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Ben and Brenda Kerny pose with Julie Kerny (dog) at Senior Day at the Cullman County Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The Kernys attend the Cullman Senior Center. (Cayla Grace Murphy)

CULLMAN, Ala. – The air was drizzly and crisp as Cullman County seniors gathered in hundreds and made their way to the Coca-Cola Theater on Wednesday, Oct. 11, to enjoy a day together at the fairgrounds. With an afternoon stacked with entertainment acts and oodles of exhibits to check out, Senior Day at the Cullman County Fair had a little something for everyone.

The morning was opened in worship with a performance by Daystar Church’s praise and worship team, and the stage stayed hot after that until time for lunch, with dance routines by a group of local senior ladies known as the Klassy Kickers; comedy skits that showed off the costumery and ad-libbing skills of the Senior Outreach Players, advertising their upcoming “Mayberry Goes to Hee Haw” show; local elected officials and those hoping to be introduced on stage; and a veteran’s program that saw Ms. Senior World 2022 Tammy Little Haynes belt out a rendition of “America the Beautiful” as members of Cullman’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2214 honored veterans in attendance.

Cullman County Commission on Aging (COA) Director Stephanie Lawson was quick to give high praise to a company that seems to be a mainstay at these events, either by offering free swag or putting the event itself on: Aveanna Healthcare.

“Aveanna Health Care, formally Comfort Care, always does a terrific job hosting Senior Day at the Cullman County Fair,” gushed Lawson. “Aveanna does all the hard work for this event and COA is just happy to pitch in and help where we are needed!”

Lawson estimated attendance was about 300 for the afternoon as seniors took full advantage of the day to pour over giant produce, 4-H projects, informative booths and more exhibits without having to navigate around the massive crowds the Cullman County Fair has been drawing in. 

“Some folks hung out and enjoyed the entertainment under the theater and others came just to walk through the exhibits,” said Lawson, noting that while seniors seemed to enjoy a lax day on the fairgrounds, many expressed frustration at not being able to ride the two rides that are typically open on Senior Day.

“Most everyone seemed to have a great time but expressed disappointment in not being able to ride the Ferris wheel and merry-go-round this year,” she said.

The next senior day event will be Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, as Cullman County seniors take on Winter Wonderland at Sportsman Lake Park. To stay up to date on future events hosted by the COA, or to find a full-time senior center, visit www.facebook.com/coacullman or  https://co.cullman.al.us/coa.

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