WHATELY – After two successful years, the South County Senior Center’s Informational Fair & Cruise Night returns to the community for its third year.
Featuring food, vintage cars and more than 16 community partners, the Senior Center is hosting a cruise on Wednesday, August 21st from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Herlihy Park on River Road. The event is free and no registration is required to attend or to bring a vintage car for Cruise Night. An alternate date is planned for August 28th.
Senior Center Director Jennifer Remillard said the goal of the event, now in its third year, is to continue to raise awareness of the many resources available to seniors in the area, with a special focus on those ages 55 and older, as well as seniors who are still working.
“We find that older adults who are still in the workforce don’t always have access to resources and don’t always know what’s available to them,” Remillard said. “If people can’t make it, they can always reach out to one of the community partners for more information.”
Caregivers are also welcome to stop by and learn about the resources available for the people they care for.
Community partners offering information and resources include LifePath, Valley Neighbors, Franklin Regional Transit Authority, RSVP, Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, Community Legal Aid, and Stavros Center for Independent Living, among others. New partners this year include Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity, Greenfield Savings Bank, and Sunderland Public Health Nurse.
Individuals who connect with all community partners will be entered into a drawing to win a grand prize. There will also be prizes for Cruise Night attendees, including the voters’ choice for most unique, best classic car and best classic truck.
Sarah the Fiddler will be there to play a few songs, and the Paris & Ty food truck will also be on site, so attendees are asked to bring some money. The event is funded in part by Mass in Motion and the Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
Remillard said the event has grown in the two years it has been held and will have 150 participants in 2023.
“It’s become a popular event,” she said. “I think the seniors enjoy coming, the community comes too, and it’s a great way to get to know each other and learn about resources.”
For more information, contact the South County Senior Center at 413-665-2141.
You can reach Chris Larabee at [email protected].
