Senior citizens in Sumter and surrounding counties enjoyed the annual Middle Flint Council on Aging (COA) Seniors’ Picnic Tuesday under a huge picnic shelter for the first time.

Local senior citizens enjoyed their lunches under the open-walled shelter, as Thurston Clary played tunes from the past. Several businesses with products for senior citizens were on hand to show their displays.

Tracy Ector, an organizer of the event, said the shelter holds 60 tables.

“We are celebrating Older Americans Month and giving them a ‘thank you’ and letting them know they’re appreciated,” Ector said.

Ector said the COA sent out flyers and announcements and contacted local businesses and government organizations about the picnic. The organization also contacted various news outlets in the coverage area.

“We went to area businesses asking for donations,” Ector said. “Several people did make donations.”

She said that all the employees “pitched in” to get everything set up for the picnic.

Some of the firefighters from Americus Fire and Emergency Services took a break from putting out fires and answering medical calls to cook for the picnic.

While employees of the COA were enthusiastic about the event, the senior citizens were also excited.

Ernestine Josey of Americus said, “I think it’s great,” emphasizing the Rs several times.

Adline Robinson of DeSoto said, “This is super. It couldn’t be better ... I come every year.”

Bertha Holsey of Americus took time out from her socializing to say the event was “super.”

The event brought in a few relatives, including Mamie Baker and Lorene Rouland of Americus, who are sisters.

Middle Flint COA covers Sumter, Schley, Macon, Dooly, Crisp and Marion counties.