If you liked Senior Fest in the past, you won’t want to miss the new Northville Senior Service’s Health & Wellness Expo. It debuts Thursday, Oct. 10 from 10 am-2 pm at the Northville Community Center.

Its purpose is to engage and educate older adults on the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle, as well as address health concerns that arise with aging. It also will introduce attendees to some of the new programming Senior Services has rolled out recently to keep seniors happy and healthy.

Similar to the previous format, registrants will enjoy vendor tables, but new this year are fun fitness class demonstrations, a Kroger Health vaccine clinic, door prize raffles and live entertainment from Suzi Marsh. A delicious, healthy lunch also will be provided.

“We are still going to have dancing and the party atmosphere,” said Senior Services Supervisor Debbie Giulianelli-Smith. “We are excited for this new emphasis, which has an educational element to it.”

Senior Services recently added several fitness classes and enrichment programs for social well-being to its curriculum. The Expo will draw attention to some of them in hopes of promoting healthy lifestyles while having fun.

The Health & Wellness Expo comes at an opportune time. Currently, a quarter of Michigan’s population is 65 or older. The state is in the midst of what’s called the “silver tsunami,” where 4.1 million Americans are poised to turn 65 this year and every year through 2027. This represents the largest surge of retirement-age Americans in history. Northville Township’s population is growing older. By 2045, our largest population growth area will be those 85 and older with an 86% increase, according to SEMCOG.

That’s why Senior Services is putting a new emphasis on well-being, Giulianelli-Smith said. It’s also why there is a prevention component, particularly with the Kroger Health vaccine clinic.

“By having this in October, which is often the start of flu season, we are giving those who want it the opportunity to get vaccinated,” she said

Northville Senior Services is a division of Northville Parks & Recreation. The Northville Community Center is at 303 W. Main St.

This action-packed day costs $15 for residents and $18 for non-residents. To register, visit https://npar.info/3SC57HM.

“Our community is so active that this new Expo makes sense,” said Northville Parks & Recreation Director Derek O. Smith. “We expect the community to embrace this magical day planned just for them.”