It is never too early to start planning and in the case of Senior Connection in Clanton, they had several new events to start planning for during a community event meeting on April 26.

The first of which is the Chilton County Cupcake Competition on June 10 that is being made possible thanks to a partnership with Cake Addiction.

Contestants of a wide array of ages will be able to enter their best cupcake recipes for a chance to win prizes.

As fall approaches, the food theme will continue with the inaugural Taste of Chilton County on Sept. 11 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The event is meant to be a celebration and showcase of the restaurant industry throughout all corners of the county.

The Chilton County Rotary Club is helping lead the effort in the event, where residents can sample and get to know the county’s culinary businesses by visiting their booths.

At least 20 vendors is the goal for the first year.

Music will take center stage, as the first annual county Jazz Festival will take place on Nov. 4 and follow a New Orleans theme.

The “Unusual Suspects” will be accompanied by fellow performers who specialize in the various styles associated with jazz.

The festival will serve as an escape for those who love jazz music, but also an introduction for those having not previously been introduced to the sounds and selection of jazz.

It will be a daylong event that is scheduled to last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with food trucks being looked into as a possibility to serve food to those in attendance.

The final event that was discussed during the meeting was the second annual Christmas Ball, and will not have a designated theme as it did last year.

“It was the largest crowd that we had ever performed in front of,” said Mary Schiermann, with the “Usual Suspects” jazz band, which served as the inaugural ball’s entertainment.

The event proved to be a hit in its first year, and quickly gained the status as one of Senior Connection’s marquee events.

“People didn’t want to leave,” Senior Connection director Vanessa McKinney said.

Due to this, an extra hour has been added onto the event’s scheduled time. It will now begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.

Keep an eye out for added details and any updates to the plans for these upcoming events in future editions of The Clanton Advertiser.