Click here to view submissions to this year's "Way to Go" photo contest:
Stephanie Thomas, 54, of Imperial won the $200 grand prize in the annual “Way to Go” photography contest sponsored by Grand Times, Leader Publ…
There’ll be a lot going on at the De Soto Senior Expo, slated for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 19, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 13225 Hwy. E, in De Soto. Free doughnuts and coffee; bingo; live music and dancing; entertaining speakers and informational displays.
Oh yeah – and alligators and snakes and other slithery things galore.
Popular reptile handler Serengeti Steve will bring a few of his “critters,” along with his vast store of reptile knowledge, to the expo in a hands-on “Reptile Experience.”
“Although we’ve never had him visit a senior expo, we’ve had him come to some of our other events, and he’s always a big hit,” Leader editor Kim Robertson said. “Not only does he inform you with a lot of fascinating facts, but also he’s a pretty funny guy.”
Admission is free for the event, which is one of five such expos Leader Publications holds each year for people 50 and older.
Seniors from Jefferson County and beyond are encouraged to attend. Doors open at 8 a.m., when free coffee and doughnuts will be available, courtesy of Leader Publications.
Vendors will be on hand throughout the morning with a wide variety of goods and services of interest to seniors. Many will offer giveaways and drawings for free items. Smart attendees will bring pre-printed address labels to save time and effort when entering drawings, filling out forms or requesting information.
Prizes
Expogoers may register at the Leader booth for a chance to win the grand prize: an outing to see the St. Louis Battlehawks XFL football team at the Dome at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. The winner, drawn at random from among all eligible entries, will receive four tickets to the April 22 game against the Orlando Guardians; some Battlehawks swag; and $100 cash for parking and food.
There is a limit of one entry per person. The entrant must be present to win. Only those 50 or older are eligible to win, but the winner may take guests of any age.
A second prize also will be offered. A name is drawn at random 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 Museum provided that prize package for each of the five Leader senior expos held this year.
Also at the expo, health care professionals from local agencies will offer free hearing, vision and blood pressure screenings.
The morning’s schedule looks like this:
■ 8 a.m. – Free doughnuts and coffee will be available. Vendor booths will be open, many offering giveaways and drawings for free items.
■ 8:30 a.m. – Serengeti Steve with the Reptile Experience will present his animals including an alligator, snakes and more. He also will be available for photos and questions.
■ 9 a.m. – The first of two free bingo sessions, with restaurant coupons and gift certificates as prizes. Former Leader sales rep Jeff Adams will serve as bingo caller.
■ 9:30 a.m. – Jefferson County YMCA instructor Kim Gibson will lead a basic exercise class people can do from a chair.
■ 10 a.m. – A second session of free bingo will be held.
■ 10:30 a.m. – Joe Williams, EMT with Valle Ambulance District, will speak on senior safety.
■ 11 a.m. – Grand prize and other prizes will be announced.
■ 11:15 a.m. – J.B. Louis and The Legends, the official Leader Senior Expo band, will perform its popular brand of country and classic rock music. Seniors are welcome to sing along and dance.
■ Noon – Expo closes.
Next up on the schedule is the West Side Senior Expo, set for 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday, July 26. For more information about that expo or any of the other upcoming senior expos, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.