With around 75 vendors, live entertainment, seminars, special guests and thousands of dollars of door prizes all lined up, the first ever seniors expo in Richmond is sure to be a hot ticket.
On Saturday, June 27, the Richmond chapter of CARP is hosting the one-day Seniors Health and Resources Expo (SHARE) on the grounds of the South Arm United Church Complex.
The six-hour event has been on CARP Richmond’s planning table for the last six or seven months and more than 1,000 people — families, seniors and soon-to-be-seniors — are expecting to converge on the church grounds between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
As well as attractions and valuable information for seniors, there’s going to be a little something for everyone, no matter your age, promised CARP Richmond’s communications spokesperson Becky Herrmann.
From exhibitions such as seniors facilities and financial planners to orchestras, as well as choirs and jazz bands, not to mention a “cultural barbecue,” Herrmann said everyone’s taste should be covered.
And just announced this week is an additional star door prize of a free cruise with Holland America Line on the Noordam liner on Sep. 26, sailing from Vancouver for three nights along the Pacific northwest.
“We haven’t stopped working on this for the last few months and now we’re raring to go,” said Herrmann, one of the founders of the Richmond chapter, which only started about 20 months ago and now has almost 1,000 members.
“This is going to be a genuinely fabulous, family event and we’ve got access to the daycare’s playground at the site. What we want is for more than just seniors to come.
“We’re doing this because we’re also trying to prepare the next generation for what’s coming; the grey tsunami is on its way after all.
“We also want to change the way people look at seniors, as it’s now normal for someone to reach 100 and be healthy.”
The expo, which is free to enter and has free parking, aims to provide interested people with all the key elements of aging in a one-stop shop.
From government, non-profit and service agency resources to goods and services provided by businesses specifically working within the seniors market, a senior will be able to access any information they need to help them plan their future.
CARP Richmond claims an event of this scale has never been done before in the Lower Mainland.
Entertainment throughout the day includes:
New Horizons Jazz Group; Delta Youth Orchestra; Ukrainian Choir in their regional dresses and Darleen Ketchum, recording artist and jazz quartet.
Seminars throughout the day include 30-minute presentations with a 15-minute Q & A and will be held every hour on the hour.
South Arm United Church is at 11051 No. 3 Rd. CARP Richmond is also looking for volunteers for the event. Go to www.carp.ca/richmond for more details.
