St. Cloud's Celebrate Aging Expo returns to the River's Edge Convention Center this Thursday, September 17, with a free, one-day gathering built for seniors and the people who support them. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and blends a Jimmy Buffett-themed happy hour with hands-on access to services covering everything from health care to housing.
The expo is presented by Comfort Keepers, a company that provides in-home care for seniors and other adults who need help with daily activities, according to KNSI. Keshia Kettler, care growth manager for Comfort Keepers in St. Cloud, said having resources to learn about and educate themselves makes aging easier for attendees, per the same report. Vendors on site will showcase products and services spanning health care, housing, finance, fitness, travel, safety, and recreation.
From Morning Resource Fair to Evening Social Event
From Morning Resource Fair to Evening Social Event
Hospitality touches now anchor the evening, with a happy hour and hors d'oeuvres. The event listing also names Bernicks as a vendor. Leighton Media runs the Celebrate Aging Expo across seven Upper Midwest communities in 2026, including Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Winona, Perham, and Alexandria in Minnesota, plus Grand Forks, North Dakota, per the organizer's event listing.
A $3,000 Meat Raffle and Free Parking After 5
Central Minnesota's largest free meat raffle headlines the expo's attractions, according to KNSI. The raffle features $3,000 worth of products supplied by Grand Champion Meats of Foley, with drawings every 15 minutes offering 40 individual $50 prizes and two $500 grand prizes, per the Celebrate Aging Expo's Facebook page.
Admission is free, and entry involves an optional $1 at-will donation, according to Leighton Events. Parking in the adjacent River's Edge Parking Ramp becomes free after 5 p.m. on weekdays, though metered spots around the convention center cost $1 per hour, the organizer notes.
Why Central Minnesota Is Leaning Into Senior Services
Why Central Minnesota Is Leaning Into Senior Services
Regional projections from the Central Minnesota Council on Aging indicate that by 2030, nearly one in five residents across central Minnesota will be 65 or older, up from 13% in 2012, according to WJON. The City of St. Cloud has also published an age-friendly summary report, according to the City of St. Cloud.
Who's Exhibiting Thursday
Organizations set to exhibit at the St. Cloud expo include regional players such as CentraCare, Edgewood Sartell, the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority, St. Cloud Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, and Metro Bus, according to Leighton Events. CentraCare is among the listed exhibitors. With free admission, a lineup of local vendors, and the meat raffle drawing throughout the evening, organizers are betting that a livelier format will keep seniors and their families engaged with services they might otherwise skip.
