Because Having Fun Never Gets Old!
 
(East Hills, NY) The 3rd Annual Over 50 Fair returns to the Melville Marriott on Sunday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The one-day expo is being organized as a“celebration of life on Long Island” for people over 50.
 
“The Over 50 Fair is part health and wellness fair, part conference and part activities and lifestyle expo,” said Fair Director Barbara Kaplan, who also organizes Long Island’s popular All Kids Fair.  With 30 classes covering a variety of disciplines, there will be “something for everyone at the Over 50 Fair,” she added.
 
While some of the classes (such as tai chi, fitness, and yoga) will be geared for active participants, there will be plenty for more “traditional” learners who prefer to take a seat and listen to a lecture. Topics in that category will include reverse mortgages, weight loss, elder law, sleep apnea, bio-identical hormone replacements, and “understanding your iPad.”
 
Over 80 exhibitors will be participating, offering a broad spectrum of services and products relevant to baby boomers and seniors, a largely underserved population, including representatives from local medical, dental, and legal practices, financial experts, and education providers.
 
Representatives will also be on hand to demonstrate a number of exciting products and services, including hair and skincare, travel, in-home care, psychic readings, and Fifty Shades of Grey-type merchandise for the truly “young at heart.”
 
David Fischer of Oyster Bay, an attendee of the previous two years’ events, had the following to say about the 2011 Over 50 Fair, “I enjoy[ed] the fair VERY much–a great way to interact or network with many different vendors.  I have met many new contacts and will be happy to attend all future events.”
 
The fair’s slogan, “60 is the new 50!” summarizes the philosophy of the event’s organizers, that Americans are living longer and should seeks to live life to its fullest.  AARP is projecting that by 2015 those 50 and older will represent 45 percent of the U.S. population while controlling 65 percent of the nation’s total net worth.  Those numbers suggest a demographic whose tremendous buying power will attract a wide array of targeted goods and services.
 
The Over 50 Fair will also feature a number of nonprofits in attendance.  Among them, The INN (InterfaithNutrition Network) will be collecting food and cash contributions for Long Island’s neediest residents.  Those who donate will receive raffle tickets to win a variety of exciting prizes.  Other charitable organizations planning to participate include the Lymphatic Research Foundation, SeniorNet at Family Service League-L.I., and the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation.
 
Rounding out the fair will be photo opportunities with Ms. New York Senior America 2012 Donna Dean, Mrs. North Shore 2012 Elizabeth Zamarelli, Ph.D.,  and Ms. Royal America 2011-2012 Amy Marchany.
 
Free health screenings will also be available, including  body fat analysis and computerized balance screenings.  Free valet parking is available for all attendees.  Admission tickets, which include all classes and exhibitors, are $6 online, $8 at the door, and free for U.S. Veterans.  The Melville Marriott is located at 1350 Old Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY, off the Long Island Expressway’s north (westbound) service road.
 
More information is available at the fair’s website, www.Over50Fair.com; Fair Director Barbara Kaplan can be reached at 516-621-1446. 
 
The Over 50 Fair is sponsored by North Shore-LIJ Health System, 50+ LifeStyles Magazine, and Prime Time Travel.