No question will go unanswered during the annual event that gathers thousands of seniors into Kin 3 each August.
Now in its 11th year, the Prince George Council of Seniors hosts the Seniors Fair at the B.C. Northern Exhibition (BCNE) on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry into the BCNE is a toonie for seniors and parking is free.
There are 55 booths offering information about societies, activities, services, and products geared for those who are nifty and over 50.
There's eight new participants at the fair.
"Some of them are quite interesting," Lola-Dawn Fennell, general manager of the PGCOS, said. "We have Happy Days Decluttering which is a wonderful service for seniors to help them downsize and declutter."
Also attending for the first time is Odds and Errands Express, Blue Rose Mobile Footcare, Caledonia Nordic Ski Club is offering a variety of workshops and instructional features geared for seniors and the Canadian Federation of University Women are fundraising during the fair by selling a book about the local area. The Prince George Community Foundation and the Prince George Symphony Orchestra will have booths while Dr. Christiane Hoppmann from UBC will be in attendance in search of participants for a study about strokes.
"And lots of the old familiars will be on hand like Better at Home and Meals on Wheels from this office," Fennell said. "Some of the activity centres will be there, Heritage B.C. and some of the support groups will be there, like Parkinson's support and COPD support. Medichair will be there, and both the Chateau and River Bend will be represented for housing, as well as Simon Fraser Lodge. So lots of the old favourites."
The Council of Seniors switched up the lay of the land this year and instead of being located at the back of Kin 3, the refreshments will be offered at a new location at the front of Kin 3 - not so far to walk.
As a rest stop,the council will host the Old Boot Oasis where people can have a seat, a sandwich and muffins, coffee, tea and pop.
After that, seniors might be ready to try their hand at carpet bowling, the cactus ring toss, an egg and spoon race, and there's going to be a duckie race on site.
"So lots of different things for people to experience," Fennell said. "And lots of valuable information about services, products, places and activities as well as fun all wrapped up into one."
The council is still on the lookout for volunteers who can find a couple of hours to help out during the event.
"And I know that's really asking for something because I know many people in this community volunteered heavily with the fire evacuees and they're kind of feeling a little volunteered-out," Fennell said. "So we will be very appreciative of anyone who comes out even if it's for an hour or two."
To volunteer call the Council of Seniors at 250-564-5888.
