MINOT, ND ( KXNET ) — The Minot Senior Coalition hosted the 26th Salute to Seniors Tuesday at the Minot Auditorium — where area seniors could get together, enjoy a country hoedown, and learn how to be careful in their old age.

In addition to music and entertainment, the event featured over 40 booths, as well as staff members who were available to answer any questions that seniors may have had on topics such as health care and banking.

Guest speakers were also present to give speeches on important topics.

“I enjoyed the lady’s talk on scams,” said attendee Denice Fuhrmann. “That was really informative, and such a current and daily topic for us. I mean, seniors lose billions of dollars every year to scams, so it’s good to have that information. I liked her suggestions — to talk about it was helpful.”

The event even featured a photo booth where people could get pictures taken with the country hoedown theme.

This festival also marked the introduction of a new feature at the Salute To Seniors: a decorated veteran’s wall, featuring veterans available to speak with interested individuals.

“We have the main veterans like the American Legion, VFW, DAV,” said the Senior Coalition’s President Louis Zahn. “We have tables there to honor our veterans.”

However, there is far more to the event than just a salute or information.

Zahn continues on to say that the Salute to Seniors hoedown serves as the perfect opportunity for Minot’s older residents to enjoy a night on the town and keep their bodies active.

“I think it is very important for our seniors to stay busy,” he explained. “They’re like recycled teenagers. They have to have things to do and get out of the house. It’s fun to sit and watch TV all day, but as you get older, you have to get moving. Like they say, if you don’t use it, you lose it.”

As if to exemplify this idea, a group of ladies from Towner who came to the auditorium during the event noted that they simply did so to get out of town and have a good time.

“All the vendors were informative,” Furhman continued, “and the music was fun. I enjoyed the Mooncats, they were funny. I had a little bit of a hard time hearing their lyrics, but they were good.”

The Salute to Seniors takes place every year during the second week of May. For more information, contact the Minot Senior Coalition at 701-852-3398.

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