Event to take place at Lawrence County Fairgrounds

ROME TOWNSHIP — It has become an annual tradition, drawing hundreds to the Lawrence County Fairgrounds each spring, and organizers are planning a another big event for seniors for next month.

The  fifth Lawrence County Senior Citizens Day will take place at the main barn of the fairgrounds from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday May 15.

The festivities have been taking place since 2015 and is organized by the Sybene-Chesapeake Senior Center, under director Darlene Green.

This year’s senior day, which will be centered around a country/western theme, will feature dozens of vendors, offering a variety of services.

Green said the goal of the event is to let the senior community know what is available in the area.

“It will show what is out there for you,” Green said. “It’s their day and it for us to honor our seniors.”

She said the day’s activities will open with a performance by band students from Fairland schools.

Booths will include everything from medical services, such as health screenings from area hospitals and free manicures and haircuts and other options from students at Collins Career Technical Center.

The event will also feature door prizes, a car show, live music, food vendors, a visit from the Good News Llamas and, as was the case last year, the Lawrence County Commission’s weekly meeting will take place at the fairgrounds at 1 p.m.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy free coffee, pastries and lunch.

Green said there will also be free lemonade and kettle corn, as well as pinto beans, prepared in a kettle on site by Dan Fox, South Point Mayor Jeff Gaskin and Lawrence County Clerk of Courts Mike Patterson.

The event is open to the public and all ages and admission and parking are free.

In addition to the fairgrounds event, the senior center has other activities planned for the coming weeks.

Green said bingo is planned to take place at the center on Friday, and members will take a trip to the Amish country on April 17.

On April 20, they will visit Collins Career Technical Center, where vocational students will offer a variety of activities and services to seniors.

And, finally, on Friday, April 27, the center, located in a modular unit next to the Chesapeake Community Center, will host its annual “Our Day” dinner at First Baptist Church in Proctorville, beginning at 11 a.m.

Green said this month’s dinner will be special, as they will celebrate the announcement of $1 million in grant funds from the state, which were announced last month, that will go toward building a new senior center at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds.