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New Westminster celebrates Seniors Day

New West seniors will enjoy a day of entertainment and information at the 2016 Seniors Festival. The festival, a celebration for National Seniors Day, takes place on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Century House, 620 Eighth St.
Seniors Festival
The 2018 Seniors Festival, a celebration of National Seniors Day, takes place on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Century House, 620 Eighth St. It features entertainment, an info fair, and more.

New West seniors will enjoy a day of entertainment and information at the 2016 Seniors Festival.

The festival, a celebration for National Seniors Day, takes place on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Century House, 620 Eighth St. Everyone is welcome to attend the free event.

“Our theme is Seniors Rock New West,” said Shelly Schnee, a recreation programmer at Century House. “It just means that seniors are vibrant and alive. They want to learn and grow, just like everyone else.”

More than 35 businesses and organizations will be attending the event’s info fair, providing information about services and benefits for older adults. The Arts Council of New Westminster is doing an Arts2Go free hands-on art project, where people can make cards and bookmarks.

“We have got seven mini workshops,” Schnee said. “They range from Gloria Jackson, an adventure-traveller who is a senior herself. She travels alone, independently around the world. The New West police will be talking about fraud awareness.”

Other workshops include topics like mindfulness, tinnitus and financial security. The B.C. Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support will discuss bullying between older adults. Some of the day’s highlights include:
* Mike McCardell of CTV will share details of his new book, None of This was Planned: The Stories Behind the Stories.

* Physiotherapist Dean Smith will provide insight on active aging.
* The film, The Age of Love, will explore speed dating, romance and sexuality for 70 to 90 year olds.

The 2016 Seniors Festival includes prizes and entertainment.

“We are going to have Elvis and Rod Stewart, and Mike McCardell,” Schnee said. “There is going to be some healthy eating samples that Family Services of Greater Vancouver will be providing. That’s always fun for everyone.”

The Seniors Services Society will be doing a Stand Up for Seniors walk at Century House at 11:45 a.m. and walking to the corner of Eighth Street and Sixth Avenue to send a message of the need to support the seniors. Oct. 1 is National Seniors Day.