Seniors from across the Upper Cumberland can enjoy a new event Saturday afternoon, the first Senior Prom.
Fentress County Senior Center Director Kelly Young said the success of the center’s winter formal and the beginning of prom season last spring sparked the idea. Young said the prom gives residents the chance to stay active and look forward.
“It’s just great seeing [seniors] have the fun,” Young said. “It makes them feel like they’re younger. They get all dressed up, and they don’t have to worry about people thing they’re just old. They’re having fun. They’re living their life.”
Young said isolation is a big problem among senior citizens. Young said seniors who are isolated tend to neglect themselves.
“If [seniors] tend to be by themselves, they tend to not worry about their well-being as much,” Young said. “They may have health problems or things like that. It’s important for them to want to thrive, to want to be involved in things so they can continue thriving throughout their lives.”
Young said it is important for seniors to stay active. Prom can help them do so, as the 50-plus event will hav dancing, snacks, and refreshments, just like a high school prom would.
Young said a planning committee was assembled to prepare for the event. The committee’s job was finding sponsors and developing a theme. Young said the theme is “A Tale as Old As Time,” which the committee felt fits well considering many seniors have great stories to share.
Young said at the winter formal, attendees were dancing and making new friends. She said senior centers exist to keep older people busy and engaged in their community. Events like prom are planned with those goals in mind.
“We’re constantly looking for things that’s of interest of them that they might enjoy to keep that going,” Young said. “We don’t want them sitting around and getting lonely or just being by themselves. We want them to come out and have fun.”
Young said the event is open to seniors from the entire Upper Cumberland. It will be held Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 6pm at the Leslie Town Center in Cookeville.
