National Older Americans Month has come to Dallas County once again.

Seniors from Dallas and nine surrounding counties gathered at Concordia College on Thursday to celebrate Older Americans Day with singing, dancing and food. The Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging sponsored the event, which featured speakers such as Mayor James Perkins Jr. and Camillia Ratliff, the director of the Area Agency on Aging.

“We provide services to keep seniors living in their homes instead of a nursing home,” Ratliff said. “Seniors want to be independent, at home and with dignity. We are celebrating their achievements and age.”

Aron Rowell, of Excel, was one senior who attended Thursday’s event. “I came here to enjoy myself,” Rowell said. “If you didn’t go to something like this, you won’t know what’s going on.”

Concordia’s gymnasium was filled with seniors who wanted to learn about what was going on. They browsed vendors providing health information and services and watched a step group as well as a gospel group perform.

According to Miss Senior Wilcox County Jerry Burford, the Older Americans Day celebration was important because it gave seniors the opportunity to congregate. “It gives you something to look forward to,” Burford said.

The Alabama-Tombigbee Regional Commission Area Agency on Aging has 36 nutrition centers across 10 counties in Southwest Alabama. They serve about 40,000 seniors. “This is a yearly event,” said Kathy Law, lead ombudsman. “Today, we served 600 hamburger meals.”

Amy Waren, nutrition coordinator, said Area Agency on Aging volunteers were recognized and received certificates on Thursday. “This is just an opportunity to bring our participants from the 10 counties together,” Waren said.