Longtime friends Sharon McClanahan and Betty Krenson shouted and laughed as they rode their horses up and down on the spinning carousel at the Cullman County Fair Wednesday.

They even let out a “Hi-Yo Silver!” and a “Ride ‘em, cowboy!”

The two friends, McClanahan from Vinemont and Krenson from Cullman, were headed to the Ferris wheel next and then on to catch some of the action over at the entertainment theater.

“We come every year and love it. It’s so much fun,” said McClanahan as she said snacked on popcorn. “I’ve been coming since I became a ‘senior.’ I’d say this is my eighth year.”

The duo were among hundreds of local senior citizens who packed the fairgrounds Wednesday morning for free admission to the county fair. The carousel and Ferris wheel were running, exhibit halls were bustling and local gospel singers were serenading the mostly silver-haired crowd.

Ed Heaton made his way around the exhibits, his favorite part.

“Last year I actually won first place for some woodworking I did,” he said with a smile, “but I was lazy this year and didn’t enter anything.”

Paula Kretzschmar of Garden City took a spin on the carousel with her friend Ronda Sullins of Crane Hill. The two retired teachers said they came with other members of their exercise class at Wallace State Community College.

“We’re all out here having fun,” Sullins said.

Much of the crowd filled the entertainment theater where they watched Cullman’s Senior Spirit Kickers put on a show followed by buck dancing and twist-off contests. Others competed for best bonnet and in the hog-calling and rooster crowing contests.

McClanahan traded her tennis shoes for boots, kicked up her heels and won the award for best buck dancing. Vinemont resident Roy Moon walked away the winner of the twist-off after narrowly beating Daniel Wallace of the Water Valley community.

Elma Bradford of Hanceville Nursing Home was honored for being the oldest woman at the fair at 102 years while Luther Privett of Cullman was recognized at oldest man at 94 years old.