Seniors, Prepare to Set Sail

Ahoy, me hearty seniors!

The Baltimore County Department of Aging is welcoming aboard the elderly and baby boomers to the 23rd anniversary of the Senior Expo at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Wednesday and Thursday.

More than 150 vendors will be featured at the expo offering services specifically for senior citizens and baby boomers. The theme this year is One Ship: Many Destinations.

"It's important because it's one location where you can get all of the information and resources you need to be a healthy, active senior," said Laura Riley, deputy director for the county Department of Aging.

Educational resources for information about retirement and senior centers, flu shots, volunteer opportunities, auctions and live entertainment are a few features of the expo, which is expected to raise $100,000 for the department.

 "It's an opportunity to do some comparative shopping for whatever meets your needs. … You get to have one-on-one time with representatives from different companies, as opposed to calling in or checking the Internet," Riley said.

About 6,000 to 8,000 senior citizens and baby boomers are expected to set sail in the renamed Promenade Palace, formerly the Cow Palace, of the fairgrounds. The department consolidated the expo under one roof this year to address concerns of long distance walking between exhibition halls.

Also new this year are a silent and live auction from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, with prizes ranging from fourth-row Baltimore Ravens tickets to a 32-inch flat screen television.

A volunteer fair and mature, 50-years or older, job fair will be held Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The expo will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday.

For more information and a detailed itinerary of daily activities, visit the Senior Expo website here.