With a shake, a rattle, and a little rock and roll, over 1,000 Tulare County senior citizens were celebrated May 12 at the 48th Annual Senior Day in the Park. The yearly event, held from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia, provides local seniors with an opportunity to enjoy a day filled with games, live entertainment and informational booths while socializing with hundreds of their peers.
“Our goal was to host an event that would bring joy to this valuable population of Tulare County residents- senior citizens,” said Albert Cendejas, Assistant Director – Senior Services for Community Services Employment Training (CSET). “Senior Day in the Park allows us to show our support, admiration and appreciation for the contributions seniors have made to our families and communities.”
Fifties music, décor and costumes worn by volunteers brought this year’s “Sock Hop” theme to life and dialed into feelings of nostalgia for many seniors in attendance. Activities included a cake walk (nearly 200 cakes were donated by local agencies), bingo games with raffle prizes donated by exhibitors, and a classic car show.
Live musical entertainment performed by local singer Chloe Gowin, Mariachi Juvenal Nueva Generación, and perennial fan-favorite, Jeremy “Elvis” Pearce, helped make the event a resounding success.
The annual event is provided by a partnership between CSET, Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging and the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency.
Sponsors include Culligan, Vapor Trailers, Humana, A&W Restaurants, Family HealthCare Network, Tulare County Area Transit, Kaweah Delta Health Care District, Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel and many others.