Local seniors will gather for the 12th annual Pinehurst Labor Day Picnic, Monday, Sept. 5 at the Family Worship Center (old Bancroft Elementary School on 41st Street). The picnic, which began in 1998 under the administration of Mayor Pete Runnels, was postponed, then cancelled in 2008 due to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The tradition resumed the following year.

Couples will be dancing to the tunes of BB and Company, featuring Britt Godwin on lead guitar and Bubba Moore on base. Band members have played with many famous artists, such as Tracy Byrd, but they choose to stay closer to home these days.

Food will be provided by the city and Robert’s Steakhouse. The menu will be gumbo, links, potato salad and drinks.

The event is not just for Pinehurst residents. “We get people from Orangefield, Little Cypress, West Orange and everywhere else,” said Pinehurst Mayor T.W. Permenter. They normally prepare for around 800 and have anywhere from upwards of 500 in attendance each year.

“We’re looking for a great turnout and it’s always been a good picnic for the citizens,” Permenter says.

“It gives the community something to do on a weekend that there’s not a whole lot of other things going on,” said picnic committee member Pam Scales Crew.

Crew also said the fire department will have their fire trucks on display and Acadian Ambulance will be checking blood pressure for those in attendance.

Visitors may park at the school or at Sabine Federal Credit Union, where they can take a shuttle to the picnic.

People begin gathering around 9:30. The band will start playing at 10 a.m. Lunch is served around 11 a.m. and door prizes for the seniors are drawn after the meal. The picnic usually winds down around 2 p.m.

To qualify for senior prizes, participants must be Pinehurst residents 60 or over, and register at the sign-up table at the picnic.

It takes about $5,000 to host each event. For more information, or to make a financial or prize donation call Pinehurst City Hall at 886-3873.

“Come on down and have a good time with us,” said Permenter.