Carthage, TN. The food, fun, music, and prizes are only days away as Upper Cumberland EMC presents the Annual Meeting of the Members.

This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, September 10, at the Smith County Ag Center, 159 Ag Center Lane, in Carthage. Music by Junction South, a fish fry by Helen's Restaurant, and door prizes galore are featured. This year's theme is "Building a Brighter Future." It's the first in person meeting since the pandemic forced “drive-in” or “hybrid” gatherings for the safety of our members and staff for the past two years.   Registration begins at 9 a.m. This year’s event promises various displays to enjoy as members arrive. For the kids, Louie the Lightning Bug, our co-op mascot, will be on hand for photos in the Lightning Bug Hangout. He’s bringing coloring books to give away and is ready to meet his fans. Our friends from Tennessee Tech University are eager to show off a plug-in hybrid pickup, a fully electric truck, and a Nissan Leaf. They'll have these vehicles on display.

Rodeo Champ Ramsey Goolsby will teach roping tricks as part of the Round-Up for Cares demonstration. Rounding up the electric bill to the nearest dollar and donating only pennies each month can mean big changes for the community. You can be a part of that.

Leland Statom, of Newschannel 5 will also be there with the Storm Titan Weather Mobile Unit to meet members as they register for the Annual Meeting.

The business meeting starts inside the air-conditioned Smith County Ag Center promptly at 10 a.m. Members can meet the UCEMC Board of Directors and speak with co-op employees and leadership. Our featured video this year highlights the plans and accomplishments of 2022 with a peek at the remodeling progress at the Carthage District office and our new Burgess Falls and upgraded Gainesboro substations.

The fish fry, music, and prize drawings will follow the business session, with indoor and outdoor dining options available. Prize winners' names will be drawn and displayed during lunch. You must be present to see your name displayed on the big screen to claim the prize.