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2021 Berks Encore EXPO at the Ballpark Offered Something for Everyone

by Berks Encore

Oct 01, 2021

On Wednesday, September 29, thousands of older adults were on hand to celebrate the  20th Berks Encore Senior Expo. The event was moved outdoors this year to First Energy Stadium, 1900 Centre Ave., Reading. The sunny September skies helped to make it an exceptional experience for all who attended. The event was sponsored by Redner’s Markets, Ensure & Glucerna. More than 70 businesses were set up to talk with seniors and their families about services available from home repair, in home services, health & fitness, insurance, travel, and more! The event was free and open to the public.

When the gates opened at 9 a.m., there was a line of visitors stretching back across the front of First Energy Stadium where the UPMC mobile unit was parked offering information and fun activities.

Inside the gates, seniors had an opportunity to walk the track and take part in short fitness demonstrations presented by the Berks Encore Health & Wellness team and Retro Fitness of Kenhorst.  Entertainment was front and center from the Plaza stage starting at 9:30 am with Meredith McGrath, Redner’s dietitian offering some healthy eating tips and recipes. At 11:00 a.m., fan favorite, Jeff Krick Sr. took the stage performing some Elvis favorites. Frank Sinatra was up next, with Rich DeSimone singing old blue eye’s tunes. The final act introduced some lively jazz to the crowd from Josh Taylor and friends from the Hot Club of Reading. The entertainment was sponsored by White Star Tours & Chester Perfetto Insurance Agency.

Ensure and Glucerna provided samples of their products and discount coupons from their booth. They featured their new their new Zone Perfect Protein Bars.

Concession stands were open in the plaza serving ballpark fare for lunch.

WEEU radio broadcasted live from 6 am till 12 noon from inside the gates of the ballpark, as vendors were setting up and counted down till the gates were open!

Guests could walk down the concourse to visit with an array of businesses and government representatives. Senator Judy Schwank was in attendance, and representatives from Rep. Mark Gillen and Senator David Argall’s offices were on hand.

At the other end of the concourse, in the third base picnic pavilion, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center provided a Health Fair. Blood pressure readings, Body Mass Index and other screenings were provided. Visitors to the area could talk one-on-one with doctors from the neurosurgery team, Dr. John Weaver and Dr. Greg Thompson, with questions about back and neck pain and options for treatment.

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