The West Hants Seniors’ Expo and Community Health Fair has become a popular event for Valley Seniors and this year was no exception.

Over 200 people dropped in to the expo at the Royal Canadian Legion in Windsor

May 29 to sample goods and services from 48 vendors. Displays at the unique event included everything from travel to physiotherapy.

“Something for everyone,” is how Judy Gregory of the Seniors’ Safety Program described the showcase.

She said it takes about five years for an event like this to catch on and in the eight years they’ve held the expo it has grown tremendously.

“We advertise well, so seniors know ahead of time when the expo will be held,” she said. “People look for it now and seniors know we have a good variety of vendors.”

West Hants Community Health Board co-coordinator Sandra Milbury agrees. “People come for the variety. We have displays that cover everything from lifestyle to health and safety.”

And just to show just how exciting seniors’ lifestyle can be, the Red Hatters club joins the expo each year. Outfitted in colourful hats and finery, “the Hatters steal the show every time,” said Gregory, who is herself a ‘red hatter’.

Their display included ‘red hatter’ cookies and objets d’art like purses sewn from fancy brassieres.

There were also door prizes including tickets for rides on West Hants Transit, coming to the area this fall. As well, a wonderful lunch was provided by the Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary.

The best thing about it? Entry to the expo was free of charge; it was accessible and open to all ages.

“Many thanks to all the volunteers and a special thanks to the Legion and Auxiliary for hosting the event and, of course, the great free lunch they provided,” Milbury said.

The annual expo is put on through a partnerships with the Cobequid West Hants Preventing Falls Coalition; the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 00#9; the Seniors’ Safety Program of Hants County; and the West Hants Community Health Board, with financial support from local businesses.