Those who attend the upcoming De Soto Senior Expo can expect a morning full of music, bingo and prizes.
The event, set for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 19, at the De Soto Knights of Columbus Hall, 13225 Hwy. E, will kick off with free coffee and doughnuts.
Everyone is sure to get a thrill out of the Reptile Experience presented by Serengeti Steve, who will bring snakes and reptiles, including an alligator.
“We’ve had Serengeti Steve at other Leader events before, but this is the first time he will be at a Senior Expo,” Leader publisher Peggy Scott said. “People will be able to get up close and personal with some reptiles.”
The Reptile Experience, according to the show’s website, is tailored to the audience’s age group and uses comedy and crowd participation to entertain and teach. Guests will have the chance to hold and interact with the animals in a safe environment.
To get your blood pumping in a different way, Jefferson County YMCA instructor Kim Gibson will guide seniors through simple exercises that can be done from a chair.
In addition, more than 26 vendors will be on hand to talk about products and services that appeal to seniors. Many will offers giveaways and door prizes, so expogoers may want to bring along pre-printed address labels to make entering easier.
Vendor booths are still available. Call the Leader at 636-931-7560 to reserve a spot.
The Leader will hold random drawings for two grand prizes, and visitors may enter at the Leader Publications booth.
The first prize is four tickets to the Battlehawks game against the Orlando Guardians on Saturday, April 22, plus $100 for food and parking.
The second drawing will be for a prize package from the St. Louis Art Museum that includes a custom museum bag, a one-year museum membership, books, greeting cards and other materials.
The attendees must be present to win those two top prizes.
Two free bingo sessions will be held, with gift certificates and other prizes provided to winners.
The morning will close out with music from J.B. Louis and the Legends, the official Leader Senior Expo band.
A special section with detailed information about the expo will appear in the April 13 issue of the Grand Times. The section also will include information about the winner of the “Way Back When” photo contest held in conjunction with the expo, and as many photos as space allows will be published in the section.
Photos also will be posted on the Leader website at myleaderpaper.com.
For information about the Senior Expo, call the Leader at 636-931-7560 or email news@leaderpublications.biz.