MANSFIELD — The Renaissance Theater was full of laughter and energy during Wednesday’s Senior Spring Spectacular.

The event, hosted by the Area Agency on Aging, is for all ages, but is geared toward the elderly. This was the 10-year anniversary for the event at the Theater.

“Every year, we do the Spring Spectacular in May because that is designated as Older Americans’ Month,” said Teresa Cook, the Area Agency on Aging’s Vice President of Marketing and development. “We like to invite 100 of our closest friends and celebrate aging.”

Cook said her agency, Ohio District 5, works in nine counties — Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Richland, Morrow, Marion, Seneca and Wyandot. This year, Cook said she expected about 400 to be in attendance.

“We bring them here and we have fun,” she said. “That’s what’s so exciting. To have them all here at the beautiful Ren.”

Vendors met with those who trickled in before the show and got information on their services. Cook said the event is important because it allows people to socialize and meet new friends.

“It’s so exciting to have everybody here from all nine counties,” she said. “There are some here that live in a nursing facility that don’t have the opportunity to get out on a beautiful day like this and see old friends or make a new friend. That part is so important.

“I think that is something we take for granted — the independence. It could be health or whatever reason, they loose that independence. So for today, to be like everyone else and come to the Ren and see a performance is a key part of well being and that’s part of engaging at any age.”

The theme of this year’s spectacular was ‘Engage at any Age.’

“Sometimes we look at our chronological age, ‘oh, I’m 70. I can’t do that anymore.’ Well, that’s just a number. Don’t concentrate on that number, concentrate on yourself and the positive things you can do,” Cook said. “Maybe that means wanting to swim and going to (a pool) or having a smartphone and learning to use it. That’s  what we are hoping people will take away from today, whether it’s a wellness-class or a way to volunteer — just stay active.”

Randy Velez, a local vocal impressionist, performed numbers by Johhny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and Chubby Checker.

“We switch up the entertainment every year,” Cook said. “We have people who come every year and we want them to be entertained. This is a great way to support our elders.”

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