Almost 750 people were present at the 30th annual West Louisiana Forestry Festival Senior Citizen Day yesterday.
As is tradition, seniors gathered at the fair grounds Wednesday morning for not only fellowship but entertainment, free health checks, food and a seemingly endless supply of door prizes donated by area businesses and public officials.
"This is all made possible with the assistance of the people of Vernon Parish who donated their time and efforts to ensure that Senior Day at the Fair, 2008 is one of the best ever," said Marvis Chance, executive director of the Vernon Council on Aging, which organizes the event in conjunction with the fair board.
The day kicked off at 8:30 a.m. as seniors collected souvenirs; visited various stations for free health checks, including blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and vision; and enjoyed refreshments such as wash pot coffee provided by the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office and TRIAD.
Gene Davis and his Vernon Middle School Choir provided entertainment, along with Vernon Middle School's first dance line.  Lester Keys and Kenny Pollard also performed favorite songs while Bubbles the clown, and eventually others, got up to dance.
Master of ceremonies Rick Barnickel, presided over the morning, guiding West Louisiana Forestry Festival Queen Kelsey Owen, of Anacoco High School, and her court along with the Leesville Lion's Club Rodeo Queen contestants in handing out fruit baskets and other prizes to lucky winners. Barnickel also auctioned off two rocking chairs, a quilt, a recliner and two bar-b-que pits to raise money for the VCoA's Meals on Wheels program.
The event concluded with a meal donated by area businesses and local officials and served by the VPSO, Lion's Club, Kiwanis Club, Pilot Club and VCoA staff.