Senior Celebration 2002 will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 20 in Shenango Valley Mall, Hermitage.

The information and services fair is for older adults and their families.

More than 70 organizations and businesses will be featured.

Participating groups are to include health care providers; medical equipment services; legal and financial advisers; human service agencies; travel, leisure and insurance industry representatives; long term care and assisted living facilities; volunteer opportunities; public interest groups; local, state and federal government offices; employment and training services an retirement community representatives.

Free entertainment, health screenings, senior center crafts and prizes will be available.

The program is presented by Mercer County Area Agency on Aging Inc. and PrimeTime Health Program; Shenango Valley Mall; Community Counseling Center; Keystone Blind Association; Life Care Cancer Center; Primary Health Network; Sharon Regional Health System; UPMC Horizon; United Community Hospital; WPIC 790 AM; and Senior Community Centers of Greenville, Grove City, Sandy Lake and the Shenango Valley.

Health care providers will offer health screenings and other health related services and information throughout the day.

Information on long term care options, Medicare waiver program, protective services, family caregiver support, in-home services and senior center and transportation information will be given by the Mercer County Area Agency on Aging, along with other services funded through the Pennsylvania State Lottery. These include PACE and Tax/Rent Rebate.

Farmers Market checks will be given to those with proof of age and residency and who have not previously received checks this year.

Limit is $20 for a single person and $40 for a couple.

Bus trips, balance exercise, yoga, ti chi, walking and educational programs, computer training, health and wellness, games and arts and crafts are among services provided by Senior Community Centers.

ºWPIC will broadcast "Senior Citizen Update" live from 9 to 10 a.m. in front of JCPenney Co. Inc.

Various organizations also will provide health-related information. Local long term care facilities will provide information on independent retirement living.

Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection and Mercer County Community Action Agency will give consumer protection information.

Sign-ups will be available for food stamps.

Mercer County Cooperative Extension, Coolspring Township, will offer details on fitness, food safety, nutrition and frauds and scams.

Mercer County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's Office will give information on crime prevention.

Various groups will give service information.

Employment, education and training opportunities will be detailed by organizations.

United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development will give information on loans and grants for housing, home repair and other services including home ownership.

Retirement and estate planning, financial services and answers to legal questions are to be available.

Consumers also will have a chance to meet and speak with state and federal legislative office representatives.

Those attending will be able to search for "unclaimed property," with assistance from the Pennsylvania State Treasury Department's Bureau of Unclaimed Property.

Anderson Coach and Travel will give travel information.

Valley Piano and Organ will give music demonstrations.

Information on the day's events and a list of participating vendors will be available in various locations in the mall.