Eileen Doherty
Entertainment, information and fun are waiting for you at the Colorado Convention Center on March 2, 2019 as The Salute (to Seniors) debuts again as Colorado’s largest senior expo for the 30th consecutive year. Headline entertainment is The Glen Campbell Show brought to you as Jimmy Mazz charms the audience with favorites Rhinestone Cowboy, Gentle On My Mind, By The Time I Get to Phoenix, Southern Nights, and Wichita Lineman.
The Wild West would not be complete without cowboys. The Salute opens with nationally known Fred G Ellis, The Drifting Cowboy Poet who brings cowboy songs and inspiration to the audience in a backdrop of Christian Prison Ministry. Jimmy Mazz closes with a Rock N’ Roll style show of the 1950s and 60s borrowing from the all-time favorites of gospel, jazz, boogie woogie and country music. Jimmy invites you to dance to a yesteryear of fun and close the house down on a Saturday afternoon.
Longtime favorite Mark Koebrich, former anchor of Channel9 News and Senior Source spokesperson makes an appearance as the Emcee for the day’s events and sharing stories. He is assisted by Adam Morgan, KUVO host every Saturday night of Groove Jazz Rendezvous.
This year’s Salute is no different and is bringing hundreds of experts to the senior expo with resources about finances, health, legal services, and entertainment. If you are facing difficult questions as you enter retirement or are already retired, want to age in place, or just need someone to bounce some ideas off about your plans for the future, visit the senior expo. Pick up free guides, resource lists and planning tools.
The Wild West would not be complete without old and new pick-up trucks. The truck exhibit is brought to you by the well-known Forney Museum of Transportation. The pick-up trucks provide a great back-drop for selfies or visit our title sponsor, United Healthcare photo booth for an old style picture of you and your friends. History Colorado displays on the American Indian, Mountain Man, and Mining, along with Wild West Bingo will round out the day’s special attractions.
Wear your best Western costume and enter the contest for the best dressed in Western Attire. Winners will get tickets to the Neil Diamond Show at Red Rocks in the summer. Other great giveaways include dinners, museum tickets, and more.
Parking is free at Elitch Gardens with free shuttle service by Sunrise Senior Living. Don’t want to park or drive downtown, call a Lyft. Lyft riders get a 20% discount (up to $5) by using the code Salute2019 or ride the Light Rail to the front door.
Doors open at 9 am and close at 3:30 pm. Exhibits close at 2:30 pm. Admission is free. Reservations are suggested at 1-866-294-3971 or www.senioranswers.org. Forgot to make a reservation, come anyway. Help the Colorado Gerontological Society celebrate 30 years of The Salute (to Seniors) and enjoy some cake on us.
~ Eileen Doherty, MS is the Executive Director of the Colorado Gerontological Society and teaches Nonprofit Management for Fort Hays State University. She can be contacted at 303-333-3482 or doherty001@att.net.