Spotlight on Seniors 2017
Once again, the spotlight is on seniors in Saskatoon.
The annual trade show for seniors, Spotlight on Seniors, will take place at TCU Place on Tuesday, Oct. 3.
“As far as we know, Spotlight on Seniors is the largest trade show of its kind in the province,” says Virginia Dakiniewich, fund developer and communications director for the Saskatoon Council on Aging (SCOA). “Spotlight on Seniors recognizes and celebrates the contribution of older adults in the community and spotlights everything of interest to seniors, all under one roof.”
Dakiniewich says this year’s tradeshow will feature 80-plus booths showcasing everything from housing, finance, hobbies and leisure activities to social opportunities, health care services and products, and more. Members of the Saskatoon Fire Department and Saskatoon Police Service will also be present.
The 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. event offers a great entertainment line-up, as well. The Slightly Off-Centre Jam Band will play old favourites, baby boomer-type music and mellow pop throughout the day. The Saskatoon Fire Department will present a Safety Style Down the Aisle Fashion Show that is actually a fire and fall prevention demonstration for older adults done in an entertaining way. Solar Gardens will have a video presentation, and last year’s Zoomer Idol finalist, the pop, country and mellow rock instrumental and vocal group, Spectacle, will perform.
“To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, we’re adding something new: a keynote speaker,” says Dakiniewich. “The speaker is Order of Canada recipient Harold Chapman who is 100 this year, and was instrumental in the establishment of co-ops in Saskatchewan.”
This year marks the 18th annual Spotlight on Seniors. The first was held in 1999, the Year of the Senior. Dakiniewich says the event has grown each year since, with more and more people attending and being involved.
“Spotlight on Seniors promotes positive aging and gives access to information and resources that can improve the quality of life for seniors,” she says. “It’s also an opportunity to meet other people, learn new things, and discover how to access the many resources that are available in our community and beyond. Spotlight on Seniors is a staple in every older adult’s fall line-up. It’s an opportunity to get out, meet friends, and enjoy quality entertainment.”
TCU Place is partnering with SCOA to put on the event; The Medicine Shoppe is the presenting sponsor.
Spotlight on Seniors typically attracts 600 to 800 people—seniors, caregivers, friends and family. Tickets are $10, available at the door or from the SCOA office which is located at the Field House.
There will be free refreshments throughout the day, and lunch options of sandwiches, soup and salads are available for purchase.
The Saskatoon Council on Ag- ing is also looking ahead to Thursday, Oct. 19, and its very popular Saskatoon Zoomer Idol. This is the fourth year for this event which Virginia Dakiniewich describes as “a one-of-a-kind talent show that puts older adults aged 55 and over in the spotlight. It is basically a variety night where vocalists, instrumentalists, spoken word artists, dancers, and performers of all kinds compete for trophies.”
The theme of this year’s Zoomer Idol is ‘Party On With Canada.’
Zoomer Idol is a gala evening of dinner and entertainment that takes place at TCU Place. Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Rob MacDonald, long-time news anchor at CTV Saskatoon. Tickets are $100 and are partially tax receiptable. The ticket includes supper, complimentary wine prior to the meal, and music by last year’s Zoomer Idol finalists Spectacle.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by seven acts that were chosen from spring auditions to perform and compete for the title of 2017 Zoomer Idol. Finalists are vocalists John Wilby, Roy Hargreaves, Fred Pexa and Gloria Raichuk; spoken word artist Eileen Mackenzie, the 42nd St. Barbershop Singers, and the vocal group Young at Heart.
Three judges, who Dakiniewich says are well-known in the community, will determine this year’s Zoomer Idol, plus first and second runners-up. Audience members will vote for their favourite for the People’s Choice Award.
Tickets for Zoomer Idol can be purchased from the SCOA Office located at the back of the Field House. Deadline for ticket purchases is Oct. 12, but Dakiniewich says people should be aware that tickets go fast.