Oakdale senior citizens will gather in a new place on Friday, June 5, but not to attend an exercise or art class. Friday, June 5 will mark the Eighth Annual Oakdale Senior Information Day.

For the first time since its inception, the event will be hosted at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, with extended hours of 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“It just got to be where a lot of booths and vendors had to be outside,” Recreation Supervisor Linda Royalty said of limited indoor space at the past location, the Gladys Lemmons Senior Center.

Royalty indicated that the new location not only offers additional space, but conference space to host presentations as well.

ROTA will be offering free pick-up and drop off from the Senior Center parking lot throughout the day to help those challenged by the prospect of making it to the new venue. According to Royalty pick-ups will run every half an hour.

Royalty also stated that she felt the new location would serve as a great opportunity for many in the senior community to see the new Community Center for the first time.

A free box lunch provided by Samaritan Village will be offered between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lunch tickets are required to receive a lunch and may be obtained at the check-in desk of the Senior Center. Deadline to pick-up tickets will be this Friday, May 29.

In past years over 200 seniors have visited the event and 25 vendors have participated. The new venue allows organizers to host over 30 vendors and potentially more seniors.

Groups and vendors expected at this year’s event include: Bank of America, Reverse Mortgage; Alzheimer’s Aid Society; Community Hospice; Modesto Radiology; Oak Valley Care Center-blood pressure services; as well as OPD CAPS and Oakdale Fire.

While visiting the various booths, attendees will be able to gather a plethora of information on the varying topics of interest. Community businesses have also donated gifts to be offered in a raffle. Free popcorn will also be served.

“A lot of it is a social thing,” Royalty acknowledged. “It’s always been well attended. We’re just trying to add something new.”

Topics including disaster preparedness, staying independent, identification theft and Elderhostels will be a few of the many presentations offered to those in attendance.

Royalty recognizes the addition of the presentations to be a bit different, but feels it is a good addition. She especially expressed an interest in the Elderhostel presentation.

Elderhostel is a not-for-profit organization started in 1975 for adults 55 and over. The organization provides learning adventures to over 160,000 older adults each year. They offer over 8,000 programs a year.

For more information on the event call 848-5303.