Rossville's NHC Healthcare Center is hosting a Community Fall Festival featuring family fun for the whole community Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"The Community Fall Festival is an intergenerational activity," said NHC Rossville activity director Kathleen Cruz. "It pulls the community together. We want the residents of NHC to be involved in the community."
In addition to live entertainment from the Southern Gospel Heirs and an inflatable bouncy house and bowling game, there will be face painting, a duck pond, basketball toss, bean bag toss, dunk tank and candy jar guessing game to keep the children occupied, with prizes awarded. Children in costumes can enter a parade at noon on the grounds.
Rossville's NHC Healthcare Center activity director Kathleen Cruz, center, sings "Wings of a Dove" with the Porch Pickers Band led by Bill Lowery, not pictured. The band plays at NHC every Wednesday. The assisted living facility is hosting a Community Fall Festival Oct. 27 with live entertainment.Adult attendees can participate in a chili cook-off or bake-off and sale, and festival volunteers will raffle off a fall-themed quilt handmade by Southern Gospel Heirs singer Judy Quinn. The quilt, along with assorted furniture and housewares, is part of a silent auction set to begin at 1:30 p.m.
"The Community Fall Festival is for the seniors, young adults and kids," said Cruz. "It is on the NHC Rossville grounds. We expect to have 100 to 150 people at this year's second annual event."
A Treasures Flea Market on the grounds offers people the chance to rent booths for $5 to sell some of their gently used items or homemade creations. Vendors Creative's by Tiffany and Kristie and Judy's Stuff will be on-site.
Cruz said the festival offers a chili meal deal with chili, chips, cole slaw, popcorn and a drink for $5.
"The festival is a fundraiser for the Foundation for Geriatric Education," said Cruz. "The foundation gives the proceeds to a local school's Certified Nursing Assistant program. This year's funds will go to Ridgeland High School's CNA program for equipment and training materials. The students come here to do their field placement. They are in the field observing care."
She said the center incorporates many activities weekly to keep residents busy. The 100 seniors living at the facility can take part in crafts, a beauty shop, Zumba, a Bible study, church services, social tea events, classic movie with popcorn nights and bingo.
Music is also a big part of the focus. Bluegrass bands play every Wednesday at the center.
"We believe in music at NHC," said Cruz. "Even the residents with dementia recognize the music and sing along. Music is a very vital part of the community. It comes from the old Appalachian tradition of playing music together."