Nearly 1,000 Erie County seniors were treated to great summertime food and fun earlier this month as the Erie County Department of Senior Services (“ECDSS”) hosted a summer picnic at Como Lake Park’s Bowen Road Grove.

The picnic built on the success of last year’s event and drew 500 picnickers on the first day, August 3, followed by approximately 440 people on August 4th. ECDSS provided transportation to seniors from a number of centers around the county, using eight buses each day to pick up seniors at their congregate dining sites and return them after the day of fun.

“Seniors had been buzzing about the picnic all year long, so it was great to see so many people come out to enjoy good food, beautiful weather, and fun times with their friends,” said Commissioner of Senior Services Timothy Hogues. “We held this event for the first time last year and it was well-received, but this year was even bigger and better. To host nearly 1,000 people over two days and have everyone leave happy and looking forward to next year is a good feeling, and we would like to thank the many supporters and friends who made it possible.”

Picnickers enjoyed a Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ lunch with homemade potato salad, Greek pasta salad, sliced watermelon, rolls and butter, and plenty of cold beverages and coffee. Erie County staff assisted in serving the summer feast and also joined site directors and managers in coordinating games including water balloon toss, marshmallow golf, and roll the dice. The Cheektowaga Senior Center provided the desserts, which were generously donated by Tops markets and furnished enough sweet treats for both days. The Seneca Babcock Community Center donated a popcorn machine and cotton candy machine for use at the event as well. Music and show-style entertainment for both days was provided by Richie Derwald and Family, who kept participants singing, dancing and having a good time.

“Each participating center played a big part in making this event a success, donating baskets for raffles and helping to make the picnic a huge success,” Hogues added. “Our seniors are an active and involved group and we look forward to another great picnic with them next year.”

Senior Centers and dining sites participating in the 2016 Summer Picnic were: (Wednesday) Infant of Prague, West Seneca Senior Center, Lancaster Senior Center, Alden Senior Center, North Buffalo Community Center, Kenmore Senior Center, Akron Senior Center, Clarence Senior Center, Amherst Senior Center, Salvation Army Main, Abley(Hennepin Center), Sloan Senior Center, Moot Senior Center, Babcock Community Center Delavan – Grider Community Center, Friends Community Center, Schiller Park Senior Center, Baptist Manor, Springville Senior Center, (Thursday) Moorman(Maryvale East apartments), Cayuga Village, Cheektowaga Senior Center, Violet Housing, Williamstowne, Northwest, Salvation Army Tonawanda, Town of Tonawanda Senior Center (Ensminger Rd), Buffalo Urban League, Orchard Park Senior Center, Gloria Parks Community Center, William YMCA, Tosh Collins Community Center, East Aurora Senior Center, Hamburg Community Center (South Western), West Side Community Center, and CEM(Concerned Ecumenical Ministry)

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Senior Services, visit http://www2.erie.gov/seniorservices/