The date is now set for next year’s Golden Years Jamboree, the 10th anniversary of the event each summer at the Civic Center, where seniors can check out value booths, take home free samples and enjoy live entertainment.
Take note, said organizer Kelly Jo Brown, July 16, 2025.
This year, the 9th Annual Golden Years Jamboree, or as some simply say, GYJ, the signature event of the Anderson County Seniors Program, continued with a Wearable Art Fashion Show by artist Kathy Moore. The show featured dresses and costumes made by elderly people and participating vendors using recycled materials.
“It’s only once a year; it’s the biggest senior party ever, and there are sponsors from everywhere who help the senior community,” said Ria Smith of Golden Years Jamboree. “They have great things to offer; they can answer all your questions while you’re here. Every year is different, go out, enjoy it, meet new people, find your community.”
Glenn Brill, retired director of the Anderson County Parks, Recreation and Tourism division, attended all nine jamborees. “It gets bigger and bigger every year,” Brill said. “It’s the celebration of the senior industry in Anderson County. We have at least 15 percent of our county’s population classified as seniors, that’s about 50,000 people. This is the day everyone comes together and celebrates. We will have dances of line, we’ll have wearable art, we’ll name the senior of the year. It’s just a fun, free time.
Genevieve Brown of Anderson was also with them. “To hear a veteran say, I’m excited, I can get out of the house and have fun,” Brown said. “When you reach a certain age it’s good to be able to socialize, experience a different environment and have fun. If you just look at the smiles on their faces, they look forward to it and enjoy the treats.”
Brown did not disclose the winner of the senior of the year award prior to the announcement. “It’s a surprise; it’s always a surprise. But you know, what I see, we honor them all. They all made a contribution to Anderson County.”
Shortly after Phyllis Barnett wowed the judges with the intricate design technique of her dress, which she made representing Brookdale Anderson, Rodney Baucom of The Life FM Friends & Family Morning Show announced that the JBC 2 Advisory Board decided this year’s winner would be a lifelong Andersonian.
Craig Johnson of Anderson, walking past the vendors’ booths, said, “I like being with people who never got the memo to act their age. And they’re living longer.” Ria Smith, who was nearby, laughed and Smith added, “Amen.”
Dot Fant, 95, of Anderson, received the 28th annual Jo Brown Senior Citizen of the Year Award.
“In gratitude for loving God, marriage, family and our hometown,” the sign read.
Dorothy Dean Smith Fant was born at home on June 5, 1929. And there were plenty of nurses and aunts to welcome Dot into this world. She became valedictorian at Girls’ High School here in Anderson. Dot has always been a leader; Becoming student body president of Winthrop College, Dot taught in public schools and adult education in Anderson. She was very active in the PTA, where her children attended school, and taught Sunday school at St. John’s United Methodist Church from the 1950s to today. Dot was always “partial with Marshall” and married Marshall Alexis Fant Jr. in 1950. They had three children, 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Dot’s motto is: “Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be.”
This article originally appeared in the Greenville News: Senior of the Year honored at Anderson’s Jamboree, see photos
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