During last year's Chenango County Area Agency on Aging Senior Fair Day, many community seniors received supportive information from a variety of vendors. (Sun file photo)

NORWICH — Senior Day at the Chenango County Fair takes place today, Thursday, Aug. 13, offering Chenango County's older adults a day of free entry, entertainment, education and community connection. Coordinated between the fair organizers at the Chenango County Agricultural Society and the Area Agency on Aging (AAOA), the event blends practical resources with traditional fair fun.

There is an itinerary of events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. specifically for Senior Day.

10 a.m. - Registration/Drawing Tickets/Discount Coupons and Bingo;

11 a.m. - Live Music by Doc O'Connor; noon; Lunch and announcements;

1 p.m. - Live Music by October Rose;

2 p.m. - Bingo;

3 p.m. - Ice Cream Social;

4 p.m. - The event ends with Basket Raffles, with other activities and entertainment throughout the day.

The purpose of Senior Day is to “provide a fun educational day at no cost for the over 60 population,” according to Sana Losee, an outreach worker at the AAOA who worked to coordinate the day.

Losee explained that preparation for Senior Day begins in January. The agency coordinates with the fair committee, sends notices to displayers and reaches out to local businesses for contributions that help fund the event. Entertainment must be booked, door prizes gathered and a wide range of organizations invited to host informational tables.

This year's lineup of activities and entertainment includes chair massages, manicures, face painting and yarn spinning, along with new additions of a caricature artist and “The Bee Guy,” who will share engaging facts about honeybees. Door prizes are available and special demonstrations take place periodically.

Throughout the day, seniors can visit displays and tables offering information across a wide range of fields and services coordinated by the AAOA. “There will be displayers from all fields with great resources and educational facts,” Losee said.

The fair offers a unique opportunity for the agency to reach older adults who may not otherwise connect with its services. Those services include assistance with Social Security and Medicare enrollment, help reviewing health insurance options and information about congregate meal sites that offer socialization, activities and lunch. The agency also provides home-based supports such as home-delivered meals, aide services and personal emergency response units.

“AAOA helps the elderly population stay safe and independent in their homes through services and resources,” said Losee.

Even seniors visiting from outside Chenango County are welcomed. “We let people know who to contact in their county for help.”

Senior Citizens Council joins the celebration

The Senior Citizens Council is also participating in Senior Day with an informational and fundraising table featuring raffle baskets, gift cards, event tickets and other donated items. They hope to offer social activities and trips to area seniors, making fundraising essential to their mission.

“We have faced some challenges with the public not being able to differentiate between the Senior Citizens Council and the Area Agency on Aging,” noted council President Richard Given. “We were afforded this opportunity through our association with the Area Agency on Aging. Although we are an independent nonprofit agency, our bylaws do require a staff member from the Area Agency on Aging serve on our board of directors,” he explained.

The Senior Citizens Council is a separate entity that works to advocate for senior citizens in local government, offer resource information and provide life-enhancing activities for area seniors, like the social trips mentioned.

Given explained that “living a sedentary life is not what most seniors had planned on. Most patiently awaited retirement, not knowing what some of the pitfalls would be, such as lack of healthcare, housing affordability, and social isolation,” which is what the council aims to improve locally.

At their fair table, visitors will find raffle tickets, organizational information and a suggestion box where seniors can share ideas for future activities. The council will also debut its new banner, logo and T-shirts.

“We are hoping for more members, more ideas, and more communication with the community,” Given said.

“Community support means that we will have the funds required for additional social activities, which may include bus trips to see fall foliage, to go shopping, and to just get out of our usual surroundings,” said Donna Given, secretary of the Senior Council. She added that she is “excited to participate in the Area Agency on Aging's Friendly Caller Program, and to have our Senior Council meetings rotate amongst the various senior centers in Chenango County to attract and include all interested senior citizens.”

If you're interested in joining the Senior Council, being a senior is not a requirement; you just have to care about advocating for seniors in the community. To join, get in touch with Donna at 607-373-2073 for information about the next meeting and location.

“We are a 501(c)(3) organization, so all donations are tax-deductible and will go directly to programs to benefit senior citizens in Chenango County,” said Given.

The Area Agency on Aging also welcomes volunteers for senior centers, meal delivery routes and friendly phone calls. Those wishing to help can call the office at 607-337-1770.

A fun-filled day of connection

As Senior Day at the Chenango County Fair unfolds, both organizations hope attendees leave with new connections, helpful information and a renewed sense of community.

“Watching the community come together to make the event happen, seniors gathering new and updated information, socializing and just having fun,” Losee shared, is what makes the day meaningful.