By EMILY REED / Special to the Reporter

MONTEVALLO – The annual Shelby County Senior Picnic is expected to draw a crowd of about 1,000 senior citizens from across the county to American Village on May 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“We are expecting this year’s picnic to have a larger crowd than what we normally have, because we have extended the invitation this year to seniors at local churches,” said Community Services Coordinator Senta Goldman. “We are already up to 825 individuals registered for the event.”

The free event invites those 55 and older to enjoy a day of food, fellowship and fun.

“It is just a day for people to get together and enjoy themselves,” Goldman said. “A lot of the seniors in Shelby County attend various activities or events at different senior centers around the county, so the picnic provides a way for everyone to get together.”

Goldman said in previous years the picnic has solely included seniors from the senior centers across the county, but this year local churches were invited to participate as well.

“The only requirements are you must be a senior, and you must be from Shelby County,” Goldman said. “It is just a good day of fun.”

There will be performances from Ray Reach, Three on a String, The Sugar Babies, and some of the seniors will sing and dance.

Local leaders will also participate in the program, Goldman said.

“Various sponsors provide food, so the event is completely free,” Goldman said. “We just ask people to register before the event so we can get an idea of how many are coming.”

Registration can be done by calling 610-7994 or by visiting Shelbyal.com and completing the online registration form.