PLANNING UNDER WAY FOR 1993 SENIOR FUN FEST SLATED MAY 22

A round-up call will soon go out for area senior citizens to hit the trail this spring for the 1993 Senior Fun Fest.

Scheduled to be held May 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Show Me Center, the Senior Fun Fest is expected to draw about 5,000 participants from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois.

The event is free to adults ages 55 and older.

Corporate sponsors for the event, which is held every other year during Older Americans Month, are Mercantile Bank of Cape Girardeau; Schnucks; the Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging; and Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"Back in 1984, Senior Fun Fest was founded to salute our area's senior citizens, who have helped make our region a good place to work and live," said Donna Gerard, member of the Senior Fun Fest steering committee and employee at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

"Since then, Senior Fun Fest has grown considerably, but the philosophy behind it has remained the same. Senior adults are a vital part of our community, and Senior Fun Fest is one way of letting them know how special they are."

When it began in 1984, Senior Fun Fest was held at Trail of Tears State Park, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources with the cooperation of area businesses and civic organizations. The first Senior Fun Fest drew about 1,400 guests. In 1991, Senior Fun Fest attracted over 4,000 senior citizens.

This year's event, Gerard said, will be highlighted by an Old West theme and will feature some special surprises in keeping with the days when Dodge City was in its prime. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to dance, play bingo for free prizes, watch performing artists and enjoy a complimentary picnic lunch and snacks throughout the afternoon.

Gerard noted that Senior Fun Fest ticket locations in Cape Girardeau and other nearby communities will be announced soon.

Groups or individuals who would like to become part of Senior Fun Fest by offering financial assistance, volunteer help or entertainment are encouraged to contact Gerard at 651-5533.