The Sumner Senior Center held its inaugural health and wellness fair Friday. Program Director Melissa Holt said the senior center receives a lot of visitors seeking information about healthy living but are simply overwhelmed by the prospect of searching for it. The fair provided a central location for seniors and their families to gather information, make community connections and earn free prizes.

“We felt it was needed. We get a lot of people who walk in with questions and sometimes it can be difficult to provide all the answers. Seniors in our community need this information at their fingertips,” said Holt.

The fair boasted 24 vendors, free raffle drawings every 15 minutes and a variety of active resources such as complimentary blood pressure checks. To encourage full participation, raffle tickets were earned by visiting each vendor booth and receiving stickers on a registration card.

From Mary Kay to memory care, a variety of vendors passed out samples, freebies, information packets and provided enlightening games such as brain-teasers and stress tests.

Tammy Baxter, owner and administrator of Arcadia Home Care and Staffing in Sumner, was among the vendors present. Arcadia provides in-home care for seniors by certified nursing assistants.

“The opportunity to receive the care you need in the comfort of your own home makes a huge difference in the quality of life. We provide that opportunity,” she said.

Holt anticipates making the health and wellness fair an annual to-do on the senior center’s list of community events.