Distinctive Affairs: Special day planned for ETX senior citizens

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

September 19, 2002 -- The East Texas State Fair is planning some elaborate provisions on Monday, Sept. 30, for the 62-and-older crowd. That one day, known as Senior Citizen's Day, will offer free admission to the fair, plus a program filled with entertainment, door prizes, and "crowning" celebrations.

"This day is for anyone age 62 and older," said Alice Emmons, East Texas State Fair general manager, during a Sept. 10 planning meeting. "So far, close to 500 have notified us they were coming. ... This will be quite a day."

Del Edwards, program chairman of the Senior Citizen's Day Program, noted the preregistered number represents "16 different cities. That shows this is a true East Texas area event."

The East Texas State Fair is held on the East Texas State Fairgrounds, Tyler.

Besides free admission to the fair, and the opportunity to view hundreds of exhibits, livestock, and East Texas neighbors, the senior citizens will be treated to an entertainment-packed program that will feature choirs, bands, dancers, patriotic presentations, and door prizes.

Plus, a King and Queen will be crowned, along with "The Couple Married the Longest." Awards will be given to the "Senior Citizens of the Year." Gift certificates, valued at $50, will be given to each of these honorees. "We even have separate gift certificates for the husband and wife who are crowned 'longest married.' We don't want a divorce over who gets to spend the certificate," joked Edwards.

Senior citizens can choose between the morning program (8:45 a.m. to noon) and the afternoon program (12:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.). Each program will include the above-mentioned activities. The programs will be in the Harvey Convention Center at the fairgrounds.

"This program is a big deal to senior citizens," commented Randall Roberts, East Texas State Fair president. "At the end of the program last year, they were looking forward to the next year."

"I think this is the most worthwhile thing we do (during the fair)," said program committee member Mary Prud'homme during the Sept. 10 meeting. "This one thing is geared to them, ... and they look forward to it."

The East Texas State Fair has been an annual event since 1940, with the exception of two years during World War II, noted committee member B.J. Pryor, who has been involved with the fair each of those years.

To organize such a grand program for the region's senior citizens, the committee has been working diligently for many months. "Lots of work goes into this. It's great we have people willing to give their time and energy to put it on," Roberts said while expressing appreciation for the many volunteers who organize the program, the over 35 sponsors, and those who work or perform during the program.

Appreciation was expressed by many committee members for the volunteers from Tyler Junior College's nursing program. Over 60 students and five staff will greet and assist the senior citizen groups as they unload and load (some groups come in vans or buses), and throughout the entire program.

"These vocational nursing students from TJC are vitally important," added Edwards.

"The TJC nursing students are so gracious in helping. We really appreciate all they do," Prud'homme said.

To wrap up the Senior Citizen's Day at the East Texas State Fair, a dance, featuring The Texas Swingers Band, will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Harvey Convention Center.

"After both groups (morning and afternoon program attendees) have toured the fair, they are all invited back for dancing," Emmons said.

For more information about the Senior Citizen's Day Program, or the East Texas State Fair (runs Sept. 26-Oct. 5), contact the fair office at 903-597-2501 or e-mail statefair@tyler.com.