Elvis Impersonator, Ice Cream Truck, Tattoo Station Among Highlights at Upper Savannah Senior Day

They ate ice cream, got tattoos, played games, enjoyed popcorn, won door prizes and danced to some really good music. No, these weren’t kids. But for a day, many of them were kids again.

Well over 100 seniors aged 60 and older came to Harris Baptist Church in Greenwood last Thursday to celebrate Senior Day, sponsored by the Upper Savannah Area Agency on Aging.

The celebration included a “senior swag” temporary tattoo station, 38 vendors providing information on community resources, a relaxation station for hand and neck massages, an ice cream truck provided by the Ice Cream Xperience, local DJ Ben Meredith, and renowned Elvis Presley impersonator Jacob Eder.

Upper Savannah Family Caregiver Advocate Aeriell Bowick organized the event with help from eight fellow Agency on Aging staff members. Bowick was not disappointed.

“Senior Day was a day to remember,” Bowick said. “I truly enjoyed watching our seniors getting to socialize, get tattoos, and just be a kid again! They enjoyed all the games we had prepared…especially bingo!

“When I first mentioned the tattoo station for Senior Day people looked at me like I was crazy…it was one of the biggest hits! I was able to be at the tattoo station for a while and was able to mingle with them. It was heart-warming to watch them be so thrilled over the tattoos they picked out.

“One lady was 81 years old, still very independent driving, working and doing for herself. She was so excited for her tattoo, and said she has always wanted one but was too afraid,” Bowick said.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly live music provided by the 25-year-old award winning Elvis impersonator from Abbeville who has performed all over the Southeast. He belted out Elvis songs, mimicked Elvis’s famous on-stage moves, and hugged and kissed many seniors on the cheek.

“I believe they enjoyed everything we had lined up for them, but I think they were more thrilled for Elvis,” Bowick said. “They ate him up! Some seniors even got up and danced with him!

“Watching the seniors laugh and dance was the icing on the cake. The seniors left with a bag full of goodies, tatted up and their hearts full of happiness and laughter.”

Upper Savannah Director of Aging Programs Peggy Merritt said the event was “truly meaningful.”

“Aeriell Bowick receives the credit for planning this fantastic event,” Merritt said. “She had the vision, and the Aging team supported her to make this a truly meaningful event for seniors in our region.”

With 38 vendors offering an array of services, seniors learned ways to stay healthy, care for persons with dementia, meet community helpers, and learn about assistive living communities and also pre-planning funeral arrangements, Merritt said.

“Seniors attending represented various counties throughout the Upper Savannah region, and it was a diverse population,” Merritt said. “Some seniors arrived by bus or van from senior centers and assisted living facilities, while others drove themselves.

“The age of attendees ranged from 60 to 90, and everything in between. This event really linked together seniors in our community along with partners who help them meet their needs.

“I am pleased with the success of Senior Day, and I hope we will have funding available to continue sponsoring this event in the future,” Merritt said.