Families and community members enjoyed the 10th annual Fall Festival at the Kenneth Gulley Recreation Center held recently in Bessemer. Above, Makeda Smith, the center’s director, with members of the Silver Boomers group at the fall festival. For more coverage of the event, turn to page 3 of this week’s edition. Photo by Robert Burgins, Jr.
The Kenneth E. Gulley Recreation Center held its 10th annual fall festival on a recent weekend, with food trucks, carnival rides, games and music on the center’s grounds.
“We decided to have our 10th annual Fall Festival event on the weekend instead of during the week day and to provide information and registration opportunities of our Center’s facilities to the public,” said Mykee Jackson, the center’s assistant director. “With vendors from throughout Alabama this is for our children, seniors and families to enjoy one another and the day’s overall good time and atmosphere.”
Terrific Treatz, Spoon It Snow Cones, Granny’s Fish & Grits and Eades’ Southern Kitchen were among the food trucks, and the Elks Lodge donated hot dogs and other refreshments.
The Reckless and Twist & Shout rides drew shouts from riders. Magic Jump Shots had basketball games, D & S Clowns did face painting and balloon art, and How High Inflatables ran a train ride around the center’s grounds.
The Bessemer Police Department attended.
AARP, AmeriCorps Seniors, New Life Interfaith Ministries and other organizations and churches handed out pamphlets and brochures.
“This event is about bridging the gaps between our younger and elder communities and to give many of our vendors the opportunity to network with one another,” said event coordinator Jalen Chatman.
“In preparation for this event we wanted to celebrate with our community and bring fun and music to engage with Bessemer residents and cater to their likes and have information here that can bring awareness to health care needs, insurance, voter registration and our D9 Organizations such as the AKA Sorority and just have a good time together,” Chatman said. Dreka Ray and DJs from Hot 107.7 hosted and played music throughout the day.
