Continuing the 38th Senate District’s longstanding tradition, New York State Senator Bill Weber is once again sponsoring this year’s Senior Fair at Rockland Community College.
This year’s annual Senior Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever before, as preparations for the event have been in the works since February of this year. While previous senior fairs included 80-100 vendors, Senator Weber’s first year of sponsorship in 2023 attracted 115 vendors offering services, information, and presentations to the record-breaking 1,000 seniors in attendance. Building on last year’s success, this year’s Senior Fair has 135 confirmed vendors, 53 of which are new to the venue, with more still hoping to participate. Seniors and their caretakers can take advantage of valuable, senior-focused insight and information all under one roof.
“This event is something Rockland Seniors have looked forward to every year since 2012,” Senator Bill Weber said. “Seniors are an integral part of the 38th district, which is why my goal is to make sure that each year the Senior Fair is bigger and better than the year before, both in providing critical information and an enjoyable day for attendees. It’s the least we can do for our seniors, whom it is my privilege to host.”
While meeting with Senior Clubs and his Senior Advisory Council over the summer, Senator Weber asked for suggestions to improve the Senior Fair. The most common feedback was requests to improve the parking situation. The request was due to the difficulty many seniors have with walking the distance from the parking lot to the fieldhouse. Rising to the challenge, Senator Weber alleviated the situation by arranging for a Mini-Trans Shuttle Bus, courtesy of the Town of Clarkstown, which will provide shuttle service along with a six-seater, wheelchair-accessible golf cart sponsored by the Rockland YMCA. Both vehicles will circle the parking lot and deliver seniors to the field house and back to the parking lot as needed throughout the day.
One of this year’s new features will be the DMV Mobile Unit. The convenient mobile unit will stand ready to assist seniors with license transactions, including ID upgrades from real to enhanced and license and registration renewals and duplicates. Seniors should bring the necessary forms of ID and documentation to assist in the service they are looking for.
Another first this year is a section for Senior-Friendly Games that will add to the overall high spirits of the day. Games like Corn-Hole, Ladder Ball, Giant Connect 4, Chess/Checkers, PutterBall, and Golf putting will be available with staff from the Town of Clarkstown Recreation and Parks Department assisting participants.
Attendees will hear presentations full of crucial information from speakers with decades of experience on topics geared to seniors and their caregivers, including healthcare, senior living, estate planning, and more, allowing participants to connect with industry professionals and learn about the latest resources to make informed decisions.
The American Red Cross, joined by the Rockland County Healthier Neighborhoods Program, will present its free program that provides free smoke alarms with a 10-year battery, visual strobes, or bed shakers. Seniors can sign up on-site for an appointment to take advantage of the opportunity.
Spring Hill Community Ambulance Corps will also give a CPR introduction and demonstration.
Elected leaders will be on hand at their own booths, including representatives from the offices of Congressman Mike Lawler, Assembly Members John McGowan, Karl Brabenec, Chris Eachus, and Rockland County Executive Ed Day, who will share opening remarks with attendees. Other state agencies like the NYS Office for the Aging, Office of Mental Health, Small Business Development Center, Public Service, Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC), and more will have booths open to visitors.
Rockland County Clerk and Clarkstown Town Clerks will have tables to provide information and process basic forms. Free flu shots provided by the Rockland County Health Department will be available, as well as diabetes screening, blood pressure checks, and more from Community Medical and Dental Mobile Medical Unit in the rear parking lot behind the fieldhouse. Other vendors will also offer blood pressure and general health wellness checks.
Seniors can stop by the NYS Comptroller’s office to have an unclaimed funds search completed in minutes.
There is no charge for the Senior Fair, which will take place
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Thursday, September 12
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10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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Eugene Levy Fieldhouse at the Rockland Community College
Attending seniors will be treated to lunch compliments of Senator Weber, with kosher and vegetarian options available upon request courtesy of Polaris Healthcare.