A month's lead time is allowed for ticket purchasing because the event is so popular, with a capacity of 500 senior citizens.
Seniors check out some of the displays by community health care providers at the 2010 Senior Fest.HOLYOKE – Tickets go on sale Monday for the 13th annual Senior Fest Picnic, scheduled Aug. 24.
Senior Fest will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mater Dolorosa Pope John Paul Social Center on St. Kolbe Drive.
Capacity is limited to 500, and the reason there is a month between tickets becoming available and the event is Senior Fest has proven so popular, officials said.
“Senior Fest has always been a wildly popular event. The day itself is meant to serve as a tribute to Holyoke’s finest citizens,” said Teresa M. Shepard, director of the city Parks and Recreation Department.
Tickets are $5. They must be bought in advance at the Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall, at High and Dwight streets, or the Council on Aging in the War Memorial, 310 Appleton St.
For information call (413) 322-5620.
As previous years’ versions of Senior Fest show, the event’s popularity goes beyond just the meal. The afternoon includes prize raffles, 20 to 30 information booths, live music and hundreds of old folks socializing.
The Senior Band of Western Massachusetts and singer Jimmy Mazz will perform.
Among companies and service providers represented at last year’s Senior Fest were Hampden County SHINE Program, Alzheimer’s Association Western Regional Office, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, Holyoke Medical Center and Holyoke Board of Health.
Members of the Holy Name Society help with the shopping, food preparation and clean-up for the picnic, Shepard said.
“Several city officials, state dignitaries, department heads and community leaders are on hand to help prepare the lunch and serve as the wait-staff,” she said.
“The picnic is sponsored by Parks and Rec, but it is truly a community effort that makes it so special,” she said.