Cows Just Wanna Have Fun is the theme for this year’s BCNE but seniors want to get in on the action, too.
The Seniors’ Fair takes place on the first day of the four-day exhibition, Thursday, Aug. 15, which is designated as Seniors’ Day.
Entry into the grounds for the 112th annual country fair is set at a toonie for those 55+. The special Seniors' Fair takes place in Kin 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Prince George Council of Seniors is hosting the annual event geared for a little fun and a great lunch. It's set up to answer all those questions mature adults might have about life, leisure and supports available for them as they age gracefully.
There are 44 organizations with information booths seniors can explore, including non-profits like seniors’ centres, Red Cross, Hope Air and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. Also in attendance will be those focused on health like a dentist, Hearing Life and CNIB. There’s also Volunteer PG, Northern Sports Centre, YMCA, along with the Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North up at the university that will showcase all the latest on how to make your life easier using the most modern tech.
“We’ve got CIBC coming out this year to talk about bank fraud,” said Malhar Kendurkar, executive director, Prince George Council of Seniors.
“It is such an important thing that seniors, and others, need to know about.”
Once the brain is in gear and seniors are ready for a little fun, Spruce Capital Seniors volunteers are bringing the giggles with a little light axe throwing, indoor lawn bowling and cornhole.
And of course, the Prince George Council of Seniors will have their support teams in attendance to answer all inquiries about the Meals on Wheels and Better at Home programs, Caregiver Support, Community Connector and Senior Housing Navigator.
“We’re all really excited to be at the BCNE this year to talk about our services,” Kendurkar said. “To have a little fun with the theme Cows Just Wanna Have Fun, our community connector Melanie thought we should do a little game of Pin the Tail … on the cow.”
This year the Council of Seniors offered an outside vendor the chance to provide lunch instead of managing it themselves and Chaa Tayo Bubble Tea & Wings, celebrating flavours of the Philippines, took up the challenge to provide a budget lunch for $10.
“The menu looks really good and it’s super-affordable,” Kendurkar said.
The food served will be senior-friendly spice-wise, he added, so it will be suitable for palettes used to more mild flavours.
There are four options including Chicken Adobo Rice, Pansit (noodles) and a barbecue pork skewer, Pansit and Lumpia (spring roll) and chicken wings and flavoured fries. There is also a side order of Soimai (dim sum) for $5 and a wide variety of drinks including Bubble Tea will be available, too.
As usual visitors can pick up Seniors Fair Passports. They can get boxes checked off at the booths they visit, fill out their names and phone numbers, then have some fun picking out the most outstanding booths, including best theme, most colourful, most interactive and overall favourite before handing them in to be eligible to win one of the hourly prizes.
Parking is free at the BCNE and Thursday’s entry fee for Seniors 55+ is only $2. The BCNE is presented by the Prince George Agricultural and Historical Association.
The BCNE goes from Thursday, Aug. 15 to Sunday, Aug.18 at the Prince George Exhibition Grounds.
For more information including entertainment schedules visit www.bcne.ca/.
