Virtual fair set for July 28
The Aurora Seniors’ Centre will stage a full-day Seniors’ Active Living Fair online on Tuesday, July 28, moving the programming to Zoom and telephone to keep older adults engaged while roofing and parking lot work proceeds at the centre and Town Hall. The fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is designed to lower barriers for residents who prefer to participate from home or cannot drive.
Organizers describe the event as a mid-year, bonus edition of the in-person fair that typically happens each September. This iteration focuses on accessibility and steady connection, themes the centre has emphasized since expanding its online and hybrid programming through the pandemic.
“Accessibility is one of the biggest things we really want to promote within the centre, so if you’re at home, you don’t drive, we want no barriers to be a factor, and it’s the full day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said Andrew Bailey, adult/older adult coordinator for the Town of Aurora.
What participants can expect
The agenda combines practical safety information with health and recreation sessions. According to the centre, the lineup includes:
- Fraud and scam prevention for seniors
- Chair fitness and gentle activity
- Exercises to maintain and improve balance
- Cooking demonstrations
- A live virtual tour of Ripley’s Aquarium
Officials say the online format mirrors approaches that gained traction during the global pandemic, with many town programs now offered in hybrid (in-person and virtual) formats. Bailey said the fair is a way to keep people connected and active while routine facility work continues and temperatures climb.
How to take part
The fair is accessible by Zoom and by telephone, providing multiple ways to join throughout the day. The centre describes the model as a no-barrier approach intended to reach residents who may face challenges with transportation, mobility or heat-sensitive conditions during the summer.
| What | When | How to join |
|---|---|---|
| Seniors’ Active Living Fair (virtual) | Tuesday, July 28, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Zoom or telephone |
Organizers frame the July event as an addition to — not a replacement for — the centre’s regular September fair, with a goal of enhancing year-round access to information and activities for older adults.
Expanded outreach beyond the fair
The virtual fair builds on several programs the town has refined in recent years to meet seniors where they are. Bailey said the centre’s online options became stronger through the pandemic, and that model continues today, with multiple offerings available virtually or in hybrid formats.
“We have really strengthened our virtual programming. A lot of our programs are accessible via Zoom and we have hybrid models,” he said, noting outreach also runs six days a week by phone or Zoom.
The outreach includes the Without Walls program, which the town offers over the phone or Zoom at no cost, and a monthly Seniors’ Centre in the Mail package sent to almost 500 recipients. The mailed bundle contains puzzles like Sudoku and crosswords, colouring pages and updates from the centre — a way, Bailey said, for members who do not attend frequently or who have moved away to stay connected to community life in Aurora.
“This definitely brings the community together,” Bailey said. “The centre is not just a hub for our members to come and enjoy. We really are just a crucial space for a lot of our members.”
Why it matters for Aurora
The online fair lands at a practical moment. With facility work underway at the Seniors’ Centre and Town Hall and summer heat affecting outdoor activity, the virtual format allows the town to maintain momentum on programs that help older residents stay safe, informed and active. Scam awareness remains a recurring issue for seniors, while balance, mobility and low-impact fitness are linked to fall prevention and longer-term independence. By assembling these topics into a single day that is reachable by both internet and telephone, the town aims to reduce access gaps.
For Aurora households supporting older family members, the July 28 fair offers a structured way to check in on wellness, pick up new strategies for daily living and connect with local staff who can point to ongoing supports. As the September fair approaches later in the year, the summer edition adds another touchpoint for seniors to plug into community programming and social contact without stepping out their front door.
