About 19 years ago, it became evident the older demographic was going to dominate the populous in Pearl River County, WRJW Radio’s General Manager Delores Woods said.
The Senior Center of South Pearl River County had yet to be built and there were few activities geared toward seniors, Woods said.
“The Senior Citizen’s Fair and Expo was first held to support efforts to build the senior center,” Woods said. “It gave the seniors something that was their own and it worked great.”
Since the first fair, Woods said seniors have claimed it as their own and think of the event as a big family reunion.
Last year, Woods said more than 5,000 seniors attended and she expects this year’s event to be the biggest yet.
This year’s expo will feature 87 booths, Woods said.
“It’s more than just a health fair,” she said.
There will be many health service providers at the fair, who will perform complimentary health screenings, and also representatives from travel agencies and legal and financial institutions.
A permanent makeup technician and representatvies from Backstage Wigs will also be in attendance , Woods said.
“These are things to make seniors feel and look better,” Woods said. “The Crosby Arboretum sets up a booth where representatives provide information about membership and volunteer opportunities.”
Other booths represented include, the Mississippi State University Extension Service, New Orleans’s World War II museum, the Mobile Vet Center, Trips Unlimited, a mobile veterinary clinic and much more.
Pearl River County District Attorney Hal Kittrell will inform guests about scams targeting elder citizens, Woods said.
A meet and greet with local political candidates will also be held, she said.
The event will feature music and dance performances by senior citizens including, an Elvis Presley impersonator, a country singer, the Piney Wood Cloggers and the Pistols and Petticoats square dancers, Woods said. Swing music will be played between live performances.
There will be 150 door prizes given out. All seniors have to do is register at the front door, Woods said. There will also be a booth stampede, where guests will receive a form at the door to have stamped when they visit every booth. Once stamped, they will be eligible to win a prize valued at $800. The prize includes tickets to attractions such as Dixie Landing, Blue Bayou, the Global Wildlife Center and more.
In the morning, coffee, doughnuts and pastries will be available, Woods said.
Later on, pizza and jambalaya will be available for purchase at Picayune Memorial High School’s softball team’s concession stand, which will be manned by Coach Kristi Mitchell and her team. This is the team’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Woods said, and all profits will benefit the team.
Each year the senior citizen of the year is named, Woods said. Last year, the senior of the year was First Baptist Church of Carriere’s pastor Bro. William Gary Smith. This year, the senior of the year is Johnny Baker, director of the Pearl River County Community Band.
“This is a day for the seniors,” Woods said. “They enjoy it year after year and most stay for the day.”
The fair will be held Saturday, June 6 at the Picayune Memorial High School gym, located at 800 5th Avenue from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information about the Senior Citizen’s Fair and Expo, visit the radio station’s website at www.wrjwradio.com.