Luck will be in the air at the Festus Senior Expo, slated for Wednesday, June 15, at the Lexington Inn, 1200 W. Gannon Drive, Festus.
One lucky senior’s name will be drawn to win the expo’s grand prize – an expenses-paid train day trip for four to Springfield, Ill., to visit the Lincoln attractions.
And everyone is invited to try their luck with an afternoon trip to the Isle Casino Cape Girardeau after the expo closes.
Doors will open at 8 a.m., and free coffee and doughnuts (while they last) will be available immediately, courtesy of Leader Publications, the event sponsor.
The expo features dozens of vendors offering goods and services of interest to seniors. There will be two sessions of free bingo, and music will be provided by J.B. Louis and The Legends, a country music and classic rock cover band.
Honest, Abe trip will be cool
Seniors age 50 or older will be able to register at the Leader Publications booth for the grand prize giveaway (one entry per person, please), and one name will be drawn at random. The winner and three guests will receive a prize package that includes round-trip train travel between St. Louis and Springfield; complimentary admission to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum; and lunch and dinner for four people. Information about the other Lincoln attractions (most of them are free) will be provided. The recipient will be able to choose one of several pre-selected dates between June 16 and mid-August for the weekday trip.
Last year’s winners were Dan and Linda Berberich of Festus, who took their 11-year-old granddaughter and her cousin.
“We had a really good time at the museum,” Dan said. “It is really something special.”
The four enjoyed exhibits and displays about the Lincolns as well as a show called “The Eyes of Mr. Lincoln” and a multimedia presentation called “Ghosts of the Library.” The cousins particularly liked “Mrs. Lincoln's Attic,” which features toys of the Civil War-era and dress-up clothes to try on.
“What a fascinating place! Everything is presented so wonderfully,” Linda said. “It’s hard to describe all of the displays, demonstrations and shows. I highly recommend this for a family day trip.”
Only those age 50 or older are eligible to win the prize, but guests may be any age. The prize package, worth about $350, is courtesy of Leader Publications and the Springfield, Ill., Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Calling Lady Luck
Leader Publications and Huskey Trailways are sponsoring the casino trip, which costs $20 per person, and includes motor coach transportation to the casino, a voucher for a buffet lunch and $5 in free play.
The bus will leave from the expo at about 11:30 a.m., and will return to the same location at approximately 6 p.m.
All participants must have valid photo identification (required at the casino).
The deadline to register for the trip is noon on Monday, June 13. Call 636-937-8481 or 1-888-248-7539 to reserve a seat.
Some seats may still be available on the day of the expo; those who were not able to register ahead of time should head to the Huskey Trailways booth to get signed up.
For more information about the expo, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.