The Festus Senior Expo is slated for Wednesday, June 13, at the Quality Inn, 1200 W. Gannon Drive, in Festus.
The event, sponsored by Leader Publications, kick off at 8 a.m. with free doughnuts and coffee, and will feature a variety of activities geared toward those age 50 and up. Vendors will be on hand, offering services, products and information as well as giveaways and door prizes. (Bring pre-printed address labels for entering drawings, filling out forms or requesting information). Music will be provided by J.B. Louis and The Legends.
Following the Senior Expo, Huskey Trailways will offer an afternoon excursion to the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau.
Vendor spaces are still available for both events. Call the Leader at 636-931-7560.
Visitors to the Festus Senior Expo may sign up at the Leader Publications booth, and one name will be drawn at random for the grand prize: an evening trip to the St. Louis Municipal Opera – the Muny – that includes limo transportation, dinner and a Broadway-style show for four people. The prize will be available for any show date this season. Only those age 50 or older are eligible to win the prize.
Activities throughout the morning include:
■ Free coffee and doughnuts, available while the supply lasts.
■ Want to learn more about this whole “social media” thing? Ask a millennial. Katelyn Mary Skaggs, a 20-something Leader intern, will be on hand all morning to offer hands-on help for seniors who want to get started – or get better at – using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. Bring your smart phone and learn some amazing stuff.
■ At 8:30 a.m., there will be free bingo, with prizes in the form of coupons and gift certificates to local businesses.
■ At 9 a.m., Mercy Hospital Jefferson President Eric Ammons will give an overview of recent additions to the hospital complex, its current programs and planned projects.
■ At 9:30 a.m., Stephen Huss of the Jefferson County Bicentennial Committee will give a half-hour presentation on Jefferson County’s 200-year history. There will also be a booth with information about Bicentennial events and opportunities leading up to the county’s actual 200th birthday in December.
■ At 10 a.m., the official Leader Senior Expo Band, J.B. Louis and The Legends, will bring its popular blend of country and classic rock to the stage. As always, visitors are encouraged to clap and sing along or get up and cut a rug to tunes by artists like Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Waylon Jennings, as well as classic rock tunes.
■ At 11 a.m., the grand prize drawing will be held, followed by another round of free bingo.
■ At 11:30 a.m., those who have signed up ahead of time will begin boarding a Huskey Trailways motor coach for an afternoon trip to the Isle Capri Casino in Cape Girardeau. (Please bring a photo ID). The bus leaves at noon and will return about 6 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes transportation, a coupon for a free buffet and $5 in free slot play. The deadline to register for the trip is noon Monday, June 11; call 636-937-8481 or 1-888-248-7539.
Also remember, the West Side Senior Expo will be held Wednesday, July 25, at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill.
For more information about either the Senior Expo, call the Leader at 636-931-7560 or email nvrweakly@aol.com.
