After this cold wintry weather I think most Vermonters are fantasizing about a tropical getaway. Before you head to the Burlington airport and check out flights to Hawaii, make sure you check out the 50+ Expo at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington on Saturday, Jan 27 from 9am-4pm. This 12th annual event offers a Hawaiian paradise with free tropical punch, hula lessons with Karen Amirault and the Lyric Theatre Chorus performing a “Tropical Getaway in song.”

According to Marianne Apfelbaum, Editor & Publisher of Vermont Maturity Magazine, if you come to the 50+ Expo “expect to have fun with a little bit of learning thrown in.” Over 85 exhibitors will be on hand giving information on issues from financial planning, health care, housing options, home decorating, health and beauty, and so much more. If you have questions on senior issues, or are planning ahead for your retirement or have a loved one who is a senior than the 50+ Expo is where you need to be for one stop shopping on senior issues while enjoying the entertainment and fun scheduled throughout out the day.

Apfelbaum encourages people of all ages to attend, “people who are younger than 50 are welcome, especially people 40-50 both in terms of planning for their future and for their parents there is a wealth of information under one roof.” If you have questions the 50+Expo has answers.

In addition to the exhibitors there will be free seminars all day covering issues from financial planning, to consumer education and sleep problems. John Cronin of the VT Dept of Securities will lead a seminar on the “Marketing of Financial Products to Seniors” This seminar will help seniors avoid being taking advantage of. Unsworth Barra & Jarrett will look at the Four Essential Documents for Personal and Family Security. Also, the Vermont Agency will have tips on planning for retirement and information on Stretch IRA.

Though the 50+ Expo offers a wide array of information what you might remember the most is the fun. This is the largest one-day event help at the Sheraton with an average of over 2,500 people attending each year. In between the hula lessons and the seminars do not miss the Fashion show at 11 or the Dance Party in the afternoon. Charlie Rice will get things moving, as Apfelbaum likes to remind people “bring your dancing shoes.”

Check out the silent auction items including a weekend getaway to the Equinox Hotel and Resort in Manchester, VT, gym memberships, restaurant gift certificates, memberships to Shelburne Farm and Shelburne Museum, a Vermont Teddy Bear, artwork, collectibles and so much more. Don’t forget to enter to win a trio to the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec with a value of $2400.

The 50+ Expo is a place where families can enjoy a day together, learn some helpful information to make their lives easier and richer, can soak up some tropical paradise and be entertained by a number of fun activities. Once you get there it might be hard to pull yourself away.

The 50+ Expo is a celebration. Turning 50 is no longer seen as old and as Apfelbaum says “people are just healthier today, turning 90 is not that unusual anymore.” Don’t miss the chance to have a lot of fun while learning some good tips to successful aging. Bring you dancing shoes, your hula skirt, and be ready for lots of laughs.

For more information on the 50+ Expo
Call 878-0051 or visit www.vermontmaturity.com

For Tickets

• $5- at the door
• $4- University Mall Customer Service Desk
• $4- 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.