The annual Festus Senior Expo, set for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, June 26, will be held in a new location this year – the Festus High School’s Performing Arts Center, 1540 St. Mary’s Lane.
“It’s a great, new location, and we’re very pleased to partner with the school district to showcase this beautiful facility,” Leader publisher Peggy Scott said. “I believe this might be the first opportunity for some of our seniors to get a peek inside. It’ll be a great chance for them to come in, see the facility, try out the seats, maybe play a little bingo.”
Performing arts center entrance from the parking lot.
Admission is free and the public is welcome to attend the expo, which is geared toward those 50 and older.
The fun-filled event will include vendors, games, guest speakers, live music and prizes.
One lucky senior will win a grand prize package courtesy of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Leader Publications. The winner and up to two guests will have the chance to ride along with a member of the Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Sheriff’s Ride-Along Package typically includes a jail tour, lunch or dinner with a member of the command staff, then a ride-along in a patrol car for up to eight hours on a shift, Sheriff Dave Marshak said.
“I think it’s a really neat prize,” Scott said. “To be inside a patrol car, see the equipment, maybe even turn on the siren – they can get a real feel for what it’s like to be out on patrol. They might be doing traffic control, working on an investigation or any of a number of other safe activities.”
“It’s a bit of a ‘choose-your-own-adventure” situation,” Scott said. “The experience will be tailored to the winner’s wishes and needs.”
Even if your name isn’t drawn for the grand prize, attendees won’t leave empty-handed. Free coffee and doughnuts will be served.
Also, many attendance prizes, vendor prizes and giveaways will be held during the expo, sponsored by Leader Publications.
Expo lineup
■ Doors open at 8 a.m., with free coffee and doughnuts available while the supply lasts.
■ Seniors may register at the Leader booth for the grand prize package. Only those 50 or older are eligible to win the prize, although the winner’s guest may be any age. One entry per person, please. The winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries and must be present to win.
■ Vendors will be on hand throughout the morning with a wide variety of goods and services of interest to seniors. Smart expogoers will avoid writer’s cramp by bringing pre-printed address labels for entering drawings, filling out forms or requesting information.
■ At 8:30 a.m., Jefferson County YMCA instructor Kim Gibson will teach a workout that can be performed from a chair.
■ At 9 a.m., the first of two free bingo session will be held in the theater, featuring prizes, including restaurant coupons and gift certificates. Festus High School assistant principal Joel Roth will call the game. You must have a gold ticket to play the round.
■ At 9:30 a.m. in the theater, Jim Berger, regional director for USA Pickleball, will talk about the sport and give a demonstration for prospective players.
■ At 10 a.m., a second session of free bingo will be played in the theater. Festus High School assistant principal Joel Roth will be the caller. You must have a blue ticket to play this round.
■ At 10:30 a.m. in the theater, Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak will share some general safety tips for seniors.
■ At 11 a.m., the grand prize winner will be announced, along with vendor prize winners.
■ At about 11:15 a.m., J.B. Louis and The Legends will take the stage. The band is led by Jerry Blanton on lead guitar and vocals, and performs music by country artists like Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Waylon Jenning, as well as classic rock tunes. The band is celebrating its 10th year as the official Leader Senior Expo Band.
■ Noon. Expo closes.
Picture Your Pet
The annual “Picture Your Pet” photo contest held in conjunction with the expo and sponsored by Grand Times drew more than 230 entries featuring their furry (and feathered and scaly) friends.
First-place winner was David Breece, 73, of Festus, who will receive $100 for his 2008 snapshot of his red cloud Australian kelpie, Nora Mandolin, playing in a local creek.
Second-place winner was Janell Santo, 63, of Eureka, who gets $75 for her photo of her “granddog,” Winston, a 3-year-old miniature golden retriever/poodle mix, in costume as painter Bob Ross.
Lance Maurer, 63, of High Ridge took third place and $50 with a snapshot of the playful litter of kittens he and his wife rescued after the mother cat died.
The winning photos and additional entries can be found in the story below:
Leader staff members experienced a cuteness overload while judging this year’s Picture Your Pet photography contest entries.
The Festus Senior Expo is one of several the Leader holds in and near its readership areas. Upcoming events include the West Side Senior Expo on July 24, the Arnold Senior Expo on Aug. 21 and the Eureka Senior expo on Oct. 16. The De Soto expo was held in April and a new South County event debuted in May.
For more information about these events or to inquire about vendor opportunities, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.