The Best Years' Active Living Expo next week

The third annual The Best Years' Active Living Expo kicks off 9 a.m. Wednesday at Isle Casino Cape Girardeau event center offering free classes and workshops, entertainment, cooking demonstrations, health screenings, exhibits and demonstrations catered to seniors citizens.

"We took a look at the way people are starting to age, and people are staying healthier longer and are doing more active things longer," said Jamie Phillips, the project and event manager for the Expo.

Phillips said she wanted to create an expo for people who are living a healthy, active life.

The day will focus on what resources are available for seniors within Southeast Missouri, what you can do around Cape Girardeau and what businesses cater to that specific demographic, she explained.

According to Phillips, there are many health-and-wellness fairs where people can get health screenings and blood pressure checked, but the expo is "just to build on that."

"We still offer all of those things, but we also offer classes and workshops that are geared toward seniors," she said. "Each year the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center has done a craft, incorporating nature. This year they are going to make artwork out of tree cookies, which are actually thin slices of tree branches."

The Cape Girardeau Police Department also will be in attendance, she said, hosting a workshop on senior safety and how you can protect yourself from scams titled "Safe Seniors, Cyber Security and Senior Focused Scams."

Healthy cooking seminars will be on the main stage, Phillips said, along with fitness demonstrations and entertainment provided by Jerry Ford.

"It's just a day for seniors to get out and enjoy," she said. "You don't have to be a senior to attend. If you are a caregiver and you want to bring someone, or are just interested in it, it's open to anybody."

Last year the event drew more than 400, Phillips said.

"There's always room to grow, but that's a good number to have," Phillips said.

More information can be found online at expo.semissourian.com.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632