We are only just beginning this winter season but thousands of Vermonters have been wearing out their snow shovels. Thankfully we just had a January thaw to melt down the snow piles but here in Vermont we know the next nor’Easter is just around the corner. If you are looking to escape cabin fever look no further than the 50+ Expo at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington on Jan 26. This year the 50+ Expo has embraced the Crescent City and brought a taste of New Orleans to the Green Mountains with Dixieland music and dance.

The 50+ Expo is a day that offers education & entertainment for people of all ages. Vermont Maturity Magazine will host the 13th annual 50+ Expo. The Expo offers nearly 100 exhibitors from every walk of life to businesses and organizations that can help seniors and their families from financial services, caregiver services, recreational travel, fitness programs, home improvement and even pet care.

According to Marianne Apfelbaum, owner and publisher of Vermont Maturity Magazine, the 50+ is “truly a full day, the show runs from 9 to 4 and you can literally spend the whole day and not get bored for a second.” The 50 + offers seminars, a silent auction, a fashion show, dance parties and a fabulous raffle with Notch Above Tours raffling off a trip for 2 to New Orleans with a value of $4,500.

According to Apfelbaum the 50+ Expo is “a day of fun and learning for people who are mature. Obviously it is baby boomer appropriate and people even younger than that might be coming to learn about their future and what they are going to do 10 years from now when they want to retire, how do they save for their children’s college, how can they help a parent who may be in need?” These topics and more will be discussed in a series of seminars throughout the day. VSAC will present the 529 savings plan that offers state tax benefits as you build your college fund for your children, your grand children or even yourself.

Tanya Morris of the VNA will present caring for a loved one, will you be ready when it’s your turn. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont will present wellness over 65. The Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities, and Health Care Administration (BISHCA) will present information in identification theft, pitfalls in life and annuity policies, how to avoid fraudulent investments, and health insurance issues including long –term care and Medicare supplement policies.

Dr. Heather Rice will discuss Arthritis; Stop It, Prevent it or Reverse it. Ray Paquette of Vermont Medical Sleep Disorders Center will talk about sleep issues and sleep apnea. Michael Palmer of the Vermont Agency will discuss how to make financial product decisions.

However the 50+ Expo is not just about getting information it is about having fun. There is a huge silent auction that has gift certificates to your favorite restaurants, theater tickets, crafts, gourmet food items, weekend getaways including one to the Equinox in Manchester, VT, and family gym memberships. In addition, one of the highlights of the Expo each year is the Fashion Show. According to Apfelbaum people love the fashion show because seniors are active and do go out as Apfelbaum says seniors “dress nicely, still go to work, still go out and the fashion show has great mature models of all different shapes and sizes.”

The 50+ Expo also offers a number of entertainment options from the Cassarino Jazz Trio, to the Karen Amirault Dance Company performing to Dixieland and swing and the Dance Party hosted by Charlie Rice.

The 50+ Expo offers something for the whole family. According to Apfelbaum “ you will have nothing better to do on Jan 26. You will learn something new, see old friends, meet new friends and you will have a ball.”

50+ Expo
Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center- Burlington
Saturday, January 26 - 9:00am-4:00pm

For Tickets
$5.00 - at the door
$4.00 - University Mall Customer Service Desk
$4.00 - by phone 872-9000 ext 10

Sarah Lemnah writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. This article originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.