About 650 people attended the Eureka Senior Expo on Oct. 28 at the Timbers of Eureka.
“We had perfect fall weather, perfect venue, and it was just a perfect event full of lots of learning and laughter,” said Katelyn Mary Skaggs, advertising manager for the Leader.
Forty-one vendors attended the expo, offering information about products and services for seniors, such as health care options, senior living and home improvement.
Nancy Carter with Aspen Valley Senior Homes attended the expo this year to provide information to seniors.
“We do this because we love the people,” Carter said.
“It’s always nice to meet people as they come by even if they don’t need our services.”
Aspen Valley Senior Homes gave away a crockpot at the event along with a variety of free swag including candy, a tape measure and pill boxes.
Becky English from Fenton attended the expo with her sisters.
“I like them (senior expos),” said English, who attended another senior expo earlier this year. “You never know what you’re gonna find. This is one of the last ones of the year. I’m not gonna miss it.”
The Eureka senior expo featured three speakers. “Our speakers were really good,” Skaggs said.
Jonah Coakley, Route 66 State Park’s assistant superintendent, spoke about the park and local history.
Chelsea Erxleben, director of development at the Endangered Wolf Center, shared information about the center with attendees.
“It is very cool to hear them speak, learn about the work they’re doing, and you can even go and see the wolves,” Skaggs said.
The last speaker of the day, Lynn Gustafson, fitness instructor at the Timbers, spoke about senior fitness classes available at the Timbers.
Two rounds of bingo were held, and bingo winners received gift cards to local businesses.
David Koehlet of Barnhart won the grand prize, which was Route 66 themed books and merchandise from the State Historical Society, the Leader’s Route 66 magazine, a $100 gas gift card and a gift card to the Malt Shop in Fenton.
“I really like the books,” Koehlet said. “That’s what I’m excited about. Just you know, local history.”
Koehlet attended the expo with his wife. He said they attend almost every Leader senior expo together.
“My wife, she goes to these, every one,” he said. “It’s a really neat event, and we do get some knowledge from some of the vendors.”
After the expo, Koehlet said they used their gift card at the Malt Shop and visited a couple other places in the area.
“We went down to Washington, Missouri, and just made a day of it and did some different things,” he said.
The event ended with classic tunes from J.B. Louis and the Legends.
“We wrapped up with my favorite thing, the live band, J.B. Lewis and the Legends,” Skaggs said. “They will be back next year, as always.”
This was the last senior expo of the year. Senior expos will begin again in April 2027.
“We really have made a big effort to make them bigger and better every single year, and enjoyable for our seniors,” Skaggs said. “I really hope people plan to attend next year’s or even give next year’s a shot if they’ve never been.”