VALDOSTA – Saturday was a time of reminiscence for Tom Town residents during the 10th Annual Tom Town Community Day.

People of all ages congregated over food and activities as they visited with past and present residents of Tom Town at the corner of North Troup and East Mary streets.

Health screenings, mock voting and the Valdosta Fire Department were all part of the event.

Kids played in bounce houses and on the playground while food cooked on the grill.

Stretching across Troup Street, from Gordon to Ann streets, Tom Town is a piece of land originally owned by former slave Tom Simmons in 1882.

Henry Foster is a grandson of Simmons three-times removed, he said.

Through stories with others, Foster said he learns about Simmons and feels like he knew him though he never met him.

“I wish I’d have known him,” he said.

He said much of the family still attends the Tom Town Community Day each year.

“Every time we have it, I really enjoy it,” Foster said.

Willie Mack Rose, who grew up in the area, said the neighborhood in its former days was a safe environment.

“Everybody, in terms of our children, was well-behaved,” he said. “Everybody looked out for everybody, and it was a just lovely and commendable environment that you don’t have too much anymore.”

Rose said it feels good to see friends that he grew up with and agreed being at the community day provides a sense of nostalgia.

“There’s nostalgia in the memories,” he said. “My mind is just pregnant with them, and I just really enjoy seeing those that I grew up with.”

Ann Joiner also lived in Tom Town and said the atmosphere during the community day is upbeat and happy.

She said she has never missed the event since its inception.

“It’s a spirit of happiness, and it’s like we all united, again,” Joiner said. “When I can come and meet with everybody, it’s a beautiful thing.”

She has a word of encouragement for community members.

“When Tom Town have a reunion on the corner, come on down and come on out and be with us,” Joiner said.