Oswego County Senior Fair To Be Held September 22nd

OSWEGO, NY — As the number of older adults continues to grow across New York State, communities are looking for new ways to help residents remain healthy, independent and connected to the services they need. In Oswego County, dozens of local organizations will come together this September to do just that.

The 2026 Oswego County Senior Fair will be held Tuesday, September 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center, 26 E. First St., Oswego. The event is free and open to older adults and their caregivers.

Nearly one in five Oswego County residents is now age 65 or older, reflecting a broader shift taking place across New York State. At the same time, living in a large, rural county can create additional challenges for older residents, including transportation, geographic isolation and navigating a complex network of healthcare and community services.

The Senior Fair is designed to help bridge some of those gaps by bringing many of those services together in one location.

“Older adults in our community have a tremendous number of resources available to them, but knowing what exists, who to call and how to access those services can be a challenge in itself,” said Joelle Hutson, Coordinator of Community Health at Oswego County Opportunities (OCO). “The Senior Fair gives people an opportunity to walk into one place, have conversations, ask questions and make connections. Sometimes that first connection is the difference between knowing a resource exists and actually being able to use it.”

Prevention will also be an important focus of the event.

Falls remain a significant health concern for older adults, and the Senior Fair is intentionally held in recognition of Falls Prevention Awareness Day. CenterWell Home Health will provide free balance screenings during the fair, giving attendees an opportunity to learn more about their individual fall risk and steps they can take to remain safe and independent.

Preventive healthcare will be available on site as well, with Wegmans providing flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Food access is another important component of healthy aging. The Food Bank of Central New York will distribute food boxes to attendees, complementing the nutrition and food-access resources that will be represented throughout the event.

But organizers say the value of the Senior Fair extends beyond any individual screening, vaccination or service.

For an older adult or caregiver trying to navigate healthcare, nutrition assistance, transportation, benefits, home-based services, caregiver supports or other needs, finding the right starting point can be difficult. The Senior Fair creates an opportunity to meet many of the people behind those programs face-to-face.

The partnership also reflects a shared commitment among local and state leaders to making resources easier for older adults to access.

“Events like the Oswego County Senior Fair are a great example of what we can accomplish when local organizations work together to serve our community,” said New York State Senator Christopher Ryan. “By bringing providers, community organizations and seniors together in one place, it helps our seniors navigate the many resources available to them. This fair is also an opportunity to focus on prevention and wellness, while giving seniors and caregivers the chance to make meaningful connections that can improve their quality of life.”

The Senior Fair is coordinated through a partnership between Oswego County Opportunities’ Rural Health Network of Oswego County, the Oswego County Prevention Coalition and the Office of New York State Senator Christopher Ryan, with participation and support from organizations throughout Oswego County.

For Jennifer Rice, Chair of Caring Community Advocates of Oswego County, the fair is an extension of the committee’s ongoing work to connect older adults and caregivers with education, services and support.

“Helping coordinate and bring education to seniors and their caregivers is a passion of mine,” Rice said. “I am grateful to partner with the Senator, the Prevention Coalition and OCO, as well as the many organizations dedicating their time and expertise to come together in one place and share the healthcare services and other resources available to older adults. This is shaping up to be a must-attend event!”

The collaborative model is particularly important as communities prepare for the needs of a growing older population. Rather than asking residents to navigate services one organization at a time, the Senior Fair brings healthcare providers, community organizations and other resources together and creates a single point of connection for older adults and the people who care for them.

The 2026 Oswego County Senior Fair will be held Tuesday, September 22, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in Oswego. The event is free and open to older adults and caregivers.