Where do more than 150 experts come together to provide information and education for those working with elders? Of course, at the 27th Annual Salute to Seniors in Denver.
“Celebrate Colorado” is the theme of the Salute which combines fun with a resource fair for older adults, families and experts who gather at the longest running senior expo on May 14, at the Colorado Convention Center.
The Resource Fair features experts from home care, health insurance, health care, housing, long term care, financial services, and end-of-life services. Experts can address the needs of older adults and those providing care to love ones. These experts seek to advocate for and empower older adults and their families.
Celebrating Colorado would not be complete without John Denver and the state song. Jim Curry and His Band perform and take us back to the time when “Rocky Mountain High”, one of the two Colorado official state songs, as well as “Sunshine”, “Calypso”, and “Annie’s Song” topped the charts. Jim Curry mirrors John Denver’s voice and his clean-cut look as he brings the popular music of heartfelt messages of caring for the earth and caring for each other.
The Salute features the well known Flying W Wranglers, one of the longest running western bands in the country. With recent appearances at the Grand Ole Opry, the band brings to life a Colorado West touch and feel with boots, hats, and 3-part harmony to their line-up.
Appearances by three local dance groups, Native American Dance, Colorado Mestizo Dancers, and the Mountaineers Square Dancers, also on the main stage.
Active Minds, a Denver favorite, offers two lectures to the day long events including “Women of Denver History” and “The History of Colorado”.
Amid the seriousness of education and resources, the Salute brings lots of fun for all members of the family. Actors bring to life the famous Colorado period characters Alfred Packer, Baby Doe, Zebulon Pike, Adolf Coors, Horace Tabor, and Mary Elitch and share a bit of Colorado history.
Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace Technologies, along with the University of Colorado and Colorado State University, have been integral to many space missions and discoveries. Direct from the Johnson Space Center, astronaut suits, moon rocks, space food and more is on exhibit.
Communication today occurs by cell phones, the internet, and facetime through large multi-national carriers. But back in 1879, The Colorado Telephone Company became the 17th exchange in the nation to open as one of the largest in the world with 161 customers. From vintage equipment to modern day equipment, the Telecommunications History Group trace the role of Colorado in leading the way in the world of telephones.
The Forney Museum of Transportation started by Mr. J. D. Forney of Fort Collins, who was a farmer in Eastern Colorado. The collection began in the 1950s when his son restored a Kissel Kar. Today the collection is one of the finest in the country. The Forney collections bring a farming and rural taste to the show. A horse drawn mail truck inscribed with RFD, meaning Rural Free Delivery brought letters and greetings. The Forney collection also displays a Model T Truck, a pick-up, a salesman thresher used to convince farmers to buy new equipment, and a vintage tractor. Plus, long-time newspaper columnist and World War II veteran, Gene Amole’s jeep, used in his military and historic preservation work throughout his lifetime. The military exhibit is completed with a motorcycle and a bicycle from Lowry Air Field. And lastly,e a Bantam Wagon in original condition and a 1961 restored Ford Fairlane.
Ongoing favorites include bingo, collecting information on resources, lots of prizes, and free food samples including Colorado’s nationally recognized Enstrom Candies, which has its’ roots in Grand Junction. The Grand Prize is a Colorado Flag and a United States Flag.
The Salute to Seniors is from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Mile High Ballroom at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th St., Denver. Admission is free. Parking is free at the Pepsi Center with free shuttle transportation to the Convention Center. Reservations are suggested at senioranswers.org or by calling 1-855-880-4777.
~ Eileen Doherty, MS is the Executive Director of the Colorado Gerontological Society since 1982. She can be reached at doherty001@att.net.