Sep 23, 2012 2 min read

State Sen. Tim Solobay, D-North Strabane announced today that the 24th annual Senior Expo will be held Thursday at the Washington Crown Center.

The event is a joint effort by Solobay, the Washington Crown Center, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging (AAA), state Reps. Brandon Neuman, D-Washington, and Jesse White, D-Cecil, along with Washington Commissioners Larry Maggi, Diana Irey Vaughan and Harlan Shober.

“The annual Senior Expos have been enormously successful in terms of attendance and positive feedback,” Solobay said. “Having so many experts in one place saves seniors a lot of time on the phone and helps them make better decisions in a quickly changing world.”

Because of the continued confusion about new requirements to present photo identification before voting, this year’s Senior Expo will feature two seminars on obtaining valid photo ID, Solobay said. In addition, more than 100 local, state and federal agencies and area businesses will be at Washington Crown Center to provide information on products and services of specific interest to older adults.

“The Area Agency on Aging mission is to promote the well-being of older persons,” said Leslie Grenfell, executive director, Southwestern Pennsylvania AAA. “The Senior Expo, which provides a very direct and personal means of reaching out to the mature adult population, supports our agency’s mission.”

WJPA Radio Live Remote, with radio personality Pete Povich, will begin broadcasting at 10 a.m. near the food court and complimentary coffee and donuts will be available while they last.

Each year, in addition to the vendors, the Senior Expo offers a varied menu from the state. This year, at 10:45 a.m., Veltri Fitness will give a fitness demonstration.

The seminars on voter ID will take place at 11:15 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Bobby Shawn, a long-time Senior Expo entertainer, will perform from the stage at noon, followed by George Suhon at 1 p.m.

At 2 p.m. Senior Expo vendors will award dozens of prize drawings, including two Harrisburg trips for two. The expo will close at 3 p.m.

For more information, call AAA Washington County at 724-228-7080, Sen. Solobay’s office at 724-223-2114, Rep. White’s office at 724-746-3677 or Rep. Neuman’s office at 724-743-7602.