Free Stuff For Seniors

Every spring there’s a Senior Fest Expo at the William T. Harris Agricultural Hall over at the Allentown Fairgrounds. This annual event is held during the month of May and attracts seniors from all over the area. My investigation shows that it was started back in 2000 by Joe Daddona the former four time mayor of Allentown. It’s a one day Expo put on during the week that attracts those who, it’s felt, are most in need of the services presented.   

The event gathers together vendors who mostly promote their products to the elderly community and it’s pretty extensive. Sure there are food purveyors. (Who doesn’t like free cookies and candy?)

Other vendors promote their products; foot specialists who show the latest in their special shoes, life care communities who promote their facilities, nutrition experts who tout the latest in health foods, and even a company advertising the latest in funeral items…keepsakes, the latest in beautiful urns for the remains of the deceased. There’s something for all seniors who attend. But most of all the big giveaway items are the “Freebies." What senior doesn’t want the latest in pens, potato chip bag clips, magnetic cards for the front of refrigerators, and certainly the new CFL lamp ECOBULB plus? These are all free for the asking, or maybe just to pick up as you pass by the vendor’s table. Plastic bags abound with the goodies. The expo does serve a purpose in that not all seniors are up to date on what services are available and through this medium they’re shown what’s out there in the marketplace.               

Senior Fest Expo does provide free entertainment throughout the day for those who are a little tired and want to rest. During the time my wife, Joy, and I were there the “Kids of America” performed. This group of five (three young ladies and two young men) multi talented young people ages 22 down to 14, who call Easton, PA, home, sang and danced for over an hour. These young people have performed in our area (AARP) and ask for public donations after their presentations that are passed on to deserving Military Families in the Lehigh Valley. It’s a labor of love on their part and the best thing is that the families receive monetary assistance they might not get otherwise. Their Mom & Dad direct their performance seeing to it that what’s presented exemplifies their many talents. In fact we’ve booked them to perform for our LMT Senior Citizens on Tuesday, June 21^st.       

All in all it was a nice event. The weather cooperated w/ bright sun, even though it was a bit nippy outside, the inside isles were humming with loads of happy seniors. It was a good day. I’m looking forward to next year….God willing.