Senior citizens enjoy day as honorees at fair

About 3,000 senior citizens who showed up for senior day on Thursday at the Sioux Empire Fair were treated to a free lunch and music.

Seniors were fed barbecue sandwiches, baked beans, ice cream and other picnic favorites at the event sponsored by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Lewis Drug.

Susan Weinkauf, 64, said such events are another advantage to being a senior citizen. She said the fair is an event she rarely has missed during her time in Sioux Falls.

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"I love fairs," she said. "I love the animals, I love to shop, and they have a lot of different things out here," she said.

Lewis Drug has been sponsoring this event for about 15 years.

"Seniors have always been a big part of our business," said Mike Cole, manager of Lewis Drug Westgate.

"We always have a senior day at the store. ... When the fair came up with the idea of having a senior citizens day at the fair, naturally they thought of us."

Stephanie Perry, marketing communications consultant for Wellmark, said her company has been a sponsor for about eight years. She said the company got involved because it was interested in giving back to the community.

Both Cole and Perry agreed that the amount of food needed is usually the only obstacle to the sponsorship. Cole said they usually order food for 3,000, but sometimes they need more or less. This year they had more than enough food, he said.

The volunteers for the event usually come from Lewis Drug or Wellmark's office, Perry said.

"They love working with them," she said. "This year was perfect."