The annual Leader Festus Senior Expo will offer many fun activities and helpful information, from games and live music to vendors and guest speakers.
Catered toward people 50 and older, the event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 18, at a new location – the Jefferson County YMCA, 1303 YMCA Drive. Admission is free.
At the start of the event, free doughnuts will be provided while supplies last, courtesy of Leader Publications. Additionally, about 40 vendors will be on hand offering information about products and services of interest to seniors.
Two bingo sessions will take place, providing a chance to win prizes like “I Love the Leader” T-shirts or gift cards to local businesses and restaurants. Expo favorite, the J.B. Louis and the Legends band, will return to play its mix of country and classic rock tunes.
The Leader is holding seven senior expos this year, and Katelynn Mary Skaggs, digital marketing manager for the Leader, said the Festus expo is a favorite.
“Festus is one of my favorites because this one is just a short drive from our office,” Skaggs said. “It’s just special to me.”
The Festus Senior Expo is a great way for seniors to learn and connect with others their age.
“These events are really fun and engaging, and if you’ve never been to one, I encourage you to give it a try; it’s tons of information with a fun-filled morning, live music, free doughnuts and coffee,” Skaggs said. “What a great way to spend the day!”
The first speaker at the event will be a YMCA fitness instructor who will lead a chair yoga class. Skaggs said the class is fun, whether you are participating or just watching.
“I take part in them often because I just enjoy them,” she said. “You’re not going to be sweating. I mean, you could, but it’s a gentle class.”
The second speaker will be a Festus Police Department detective who will teach seniors about safety, including how to stay physically safe and how to protect your security online.
The last speaker will be Justin A. Wolf from MoDOT, who will provide updates on the recent road construction along I-55 and Hwy. 67.
Attendees may register at the Leader booth for a chance to win the grand prize, a rocker recliner from Genuine Appliance. The recliner features a pull-tab reclining motion and foam cushions with polyester upholstery. People are asked to enter the drawing just once, and the winner needs to be present to win.
Schedule
8 a.m. – Doors open; free coffee and doughnuts will be served while supplies last. Vendors will provide information about a wide selection of goods and services, and some will offer giveaways and freebies. Attendees are encouraged to bring pre-printed address labels to make entering drawings, filling out forms and requesting information a lot easier.
8:30 a.m. – A YMCA fitness instructor will lead a chair yoga class, demonstrating exercises that anyone can do from their seat. The class will be held in the fitness studio on the lower level of the building.
9 a.m. – The first session of free bingo will be held in the fitness studio on the lower level of the building. YMCA properties director Ted Luhrs will call the session. Participants will have the chance to win various prizes.
9:30 a.m. – Detectives from the Festus Police Department will share useful information about various forms of senior safety, such as strategies to avoid scams.
10 a.m. – The second session of free bingo will also be in the fitness studio on the lower level of the building, giving participants another chance to win various prizes. YMCA membership director Macy Hahn will call the session.
10:30 a.m. – I-55 Jefferson County MoDOT project director Justin A. Wolf will give an update on current road construction in the area.
11 a.m. – The grand prize winner and other prize winners will be announced.
11:15 a.m. – J.B. Louis and the Legends band will perform in the gym.
Noon – Expo closes
Upcoming senior expos
The following four senior expos are planned from 8 a.m. to noon on a Wednesday over the next several months.
■ West Side Senior Expo, July 16, at Northwest High School in Cedar Hill.
■ Arnold Senior Expo, Aug. 27, at the Arnold Eagles Hall.
■ Farmington Area Senior Expo, Sept. 24, at the Mineral Area College Tech Center.
■ Eureka Senior Expo, Oct. 22, at the Timbers of Eureka.
Any businesses and organizations interested in securing a vendor space for any of the expos may contact the Leader at 636-931-7560 or ads@myleaderpaper.com.
Directions
From I-55, driving north:
- Take exit 175 toward Festus.
- Turn right onto Veterans Boulevard.
- Turn right onto West Gannon Drive.
- Turn right onto YMCA Drive near the Quality Inn.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
From I-55, driving south:
- Take exit 175 toward Festus.
- Turn left onto Veterans Boulevard.
- Turn right onto West Gannon Drive.
- Turn right onto YMCA Drive near the Quality Inn.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
From Hwy. 21, driving north:
- Take Hwy. A exit and turn right.
- Continue to Festus and turn right onto West Gannon Drive.
- Turn right onto YMCA Drive near the Quality Inn.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
From Hwy. 21, driving south:
- Take Hwy. A exit and turn left.
- Continue to Festus and turn right onto West Gannon Drive.
- Turn right onto YMCA Drive near the Quality Inn.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
From Hwy. 61-67, driving north:
- Turn left onto Veterans Boulevard.
- Turn left at the second light onto West Gannon Drive.
- Turn right onto YMCA Drive near the Quality Inn.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
From Hwy. 61-67, driving south:
- Turn right onto Veterans Boulevard.
- Turn left at the second light onto West Gannon Drive.
- Turn right onto YMCA Drive near the Quality Inn.
- Turn right into the parking lot.
For extra parking use the Schnucks/Home Depot lot where an Autumn Ridge shuttle will pick you up. The service will also be offered after the event for transport back to their vehicles.
Three area residents win cash prizes in Picture Your Pet photo contest
Eureka resident Kim Myerscough won first place and a $100 cash prize in the Leader’s annual Picture Your Pet photo contest, sponsored by Grand Times, Leader Publications’ magazine for seniors.
Other contest winners were James Riegerix of Arnold, who will receive $75, and Mike Stroud of Imperial, who won $50.
Leader staff chose the winners from among 138 entries. Photos were judged on quality and charm.
Kim Myerscough, 54, of Eureka took this picture of her 4-year-old Great Dane, Phoebe, with her cats. “I work from home, so these are my co-workers,” Kim said. “Phoebe apparently wanted me to move the cats off her bed that is behind my desk! For such a big dog, she's a big baby!”
Myerscough
Myerscough, 54, of Eureka won the contest for her photo that captured 4-year-old Great Dane Phoebe.
In the photo, Phoebe was looking back at the camera because three cats were using her bed, Myerscough said.
“I just thought it was funny that Phoebe wouldn’t get on her bed because the little cats were there. She wanted me to do something to get them off,” Myerscough said.
She said she works from home, so her pets pictured are her coworkers.
Myerscough said it felt great to win the contest.
“I really like taking pictures, and it’s just nice to win something,” she said.
Myerscough said she likely will spend her winnings on a nice dinner with her husband.
James Riegerix, 57, of Arnold took this picture in December at Arnold Park of 8-year-old Cruiser, a golden retriever. “We were the only ones there, and he likes to sit on the benches that surround the lake,” James said. “He definitely knows how to pose for the camera, and I just love everything about the picture.”
Riegerix
Riegerix, 57, of Arnold won second place for a photo he took of Cruiser, an 8-year-old golden retriever, who was posing on a bench at Arnold City Park in the snow. He said he and his wife, Rebecca, rescued Cruiser, who loves the snow.
Riegerix said he was happy to win second place in the contest.
“We’re going to spoil him a bit with some toys,” Riegerix said about how he would spend the $75 prize.
Mike Stroud, 73, of Imperial took this picture in August 2024 of his “granddogs,” Roscoe, 4, in front, and Lucy, 7. Both are American foxhound mixes. “Of all places, Arnold Park has some really great sunsets,” Mike said. “I was walking the dogs, and this was a perfect opportunity for a great picture.”
Stroud
Stroud, 73, of Imperial, who won third place in the contest, said he liked the photo he submitted of his “grand dogs” – Roscoe, 4, and Lucy, 7, both American fox hound mixes.
He said he likes taking photos, especially of dogs, and took his third-place photo because he thought the dogs looked cute at the time.
Stroud said he plans to give his winnings to a local animal shelter.
Click here to see other submissions to the Picture Your Pet photo contest:
