REGINA — For one day this week, a Regina mall will transform into something much more than a place to shop. It will become a gathering place for stories, music, laughter and connection.
The third annual Seniors Expo at Victoria Square Shopping Centre returns Thursday, March 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., bringing together entertainment, community resources and more than 30 vendors for a full day designed especially for older adults in the city.
The event is free and open to everyone, but it is built with seniors in mind. Visitors can browse vendor booths, enjoy morning coffee and snacks, play bingo, take in a mini fashion show and catch live entertainment throughout the afternoon.
The stage lineup alone could draw a crowd.
Country music fans will hear the sounds of Brian Sklar and his Old Time All-Stars, while rising tribute performer Jesse Lamont will bring the King of Rock ’n’ Roll back to life with an Elvis tribute performance.
Jordan Myers, marketing co-ordinator for Victoria Square Shopping Centre, said the event was created to celebrate seniors while giving them a place to connect with others.
“Seniors Expo is a fun day full of entertainment, activities and senior-oriented vendors and so much more,” Myers said. “The benefits are getting out, being social and connecting with people. Seniors like to get out, and we’re a very senior-friendly mall.”
The mall already hosts a walking club and regular entertainment events that draw seniors from across east Regina. Myers said the expo builds on that effort by bringing together community organizations, services and entertainment in one place.
More than 30 vendors will be set up throughout the mall, including local businesses, community groups and several of the mall’s own tenants.
A number of senior living organizations are also supporting the event, including Victoria Park Care Community, Wintergreene Estates, Queen Victoria Estates and Harbour Landing Village. Their involvement has helped bring in a wide network of vendors and community partners.
Organizers also worked to ensure transportation is accessible for those attending, including city buses and Paratransit services.
Events like the Seniors Expo can have real benefits for older adults. Studies show regular social interaction and community engagement help reduce loneliness, improve mental health and support cognitive well-being.
For Myers, that sense of connection is exactly what the event is meant to create.
“Whether you’re a senior, have a senior in your life, or you’re just on your own, I definitely encourage checking it out and seeing what it’s all about,” he said.
“With the entertainment we have and the number of organizations involved, it’s really not a day to miss.”
