OSWEGO – The Oswego County Senior Fair returns on Tuesday, September 23 at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with an even greater focus on empowering older adults with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to age with confidence.
This year’s fair features a robust lineup of free breakout workshops tailored to the needs of seniors and their caregivers:
- 9:15 a.m. – Air Fryer Cooking Demo with Beth McCarthy, Registered Dietitian, NYSOFA SNAP-Ed
- 9:55 a.m. – Medicare 101 presented by USI Advisors, Sponsored by Oswego Health
- 10:35 a.m. – WISE (Wellness Initiative for Senior Education) with the Oswego County Prevention Coalition
- 11:15 a.m. – Avoiding Scams with StateWide Senior Action Council
“The Oswego County Senior Fair will offer a wide range of valuable resources for our seniors. From Medicaid seminars to free health screenings and cooking demonstrations, community partners are coming together to show their commitment to caring for and supporting older adults in our community. I’m proud to be part of this event and grateful to all the organizations that will be providing resources,” said State Senator Christopher Ryan.
“At Oswego Health, we’re proud to sponsor the Senior Fair because it’s another way we can live out our promise of ‘We Care — not just for you, but about you,’” said Jamie Leszczynski, SVP of Communications. “We believe in meeting our community where they are, and that means not only providing care, but also helping individuals access the information and resources they need to make informed, confident decisions about their health and future. This event is a perfect example of how We Care goes beyond the bedside and into the community.”
The Medicare 101 session is especially timely as the Medicare open enrollment period begins October 15. With more than 1 in 6 New Yorkers over the age of 65, understanding Medicare coverage options, eligibility, and potential benefits is critical. Medicare mistakes can be costly, and the fair provides a low-pressure, face-to-face opportunity to ask questions and explore the coverage that best supports one’s health and financial goals.
In addition to workshops and vendor resources, Fidelis Care & Wellcare by Fidelis Care will be distributing one free bag of fresh, seasonal produce to each attendee as part of their Veggies to Go program. This giveaway will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue while supplies last, reinforcing the event’s commitment to addressing food access and nutrition as key components of aging well.
“More and more, we’re seeing health-related social needs—like food insecurity, transportation, and isolation—emerge as major contributors to poor health outcomes,” said Joelle Hutson, Director of the Rural Health Network of Oswego County. “In 2023, the CDC estimated that nearly 12% of adults over 65 experienced food insecurity, and that number is typically higher in rural counties like ours. The Senior Fair is one small but powerful way we can respond to these needs—bringing direct access, compassionate care, and trusted information right to the people who need it most.”
More than 50 local vendors offering health screenings, resource navigation, insurance guidance, wellness support, aging services, and more will be present. Participating organizations include Oswego Health, Oswego County Prevention Coalition, Fidelis Care, CenterWell Home Health, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Solutions, OCO’s Nutrition Services, StateWide Senior Action Council, ARISE, RSVP, Farnham Family Services, the Alzheimer’s Association, Food Bank of CNY, and many others.
Admission is free, and no registration is required for attendees. Free refreshments and giveaways will be available while supplies last.
The 2025 Oswego County Senior Fair is organized by the Caring Community Advocates of Oswego County, a subcommittee of Oswego County Opportunities’ Rural Health Network, and is made possible through the strength of several key partners: Oswego Health, the Oswego County Prevention Coalition, Oswego County Opportunities, and New York State Senator Christopher Ryan.
For more information or to get involved, contact Joelle Hutson at [email protected].
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