An award-winning journalist, Katie has written for Chicago Health since 2016 and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief.
Chicago seniors celebrate aging, connect with resources in Millennium Park
Thousands of seniors made their way to Chicago’s Millennium Park this past Thursday for the city’s annual Senior Fest. They came by shuttle, train, car, and on foot, filling Millennium Park with wheelchairs, walkers, and joy.
“Older Chicagoans are the soul of our city — our history keepers, community builders, and everyday heroes. Their strength shaped Chicago for generations, and their wisdom continues to guide its future,” Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner Angela Green said in a statement. “Senior Fest is a joyful and lively celebration of their stories, contributions, and the lasting impact they continue to make.”
The festival’s annual return filled Millennium Park with art, live music on the Pritzker Pavilion stage, a resource fair, a health tent, and lots of dancing.
Jane Zamora, of Norwood Park, took the train down. “I wanted to get the vaccination shots right away — no line, no waiting,” she says, while listening for her name to be called for a raffle prize.
Zamora says she was surprised by how friendly and enthusiastic everyone was, adding that she recognized many people from the senior centers she frequents in Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, and Portage Park.
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services hosted the fest, bringing together people from the city’s 20 senior centers and beyond.
A karaoke tent near the festival’s entry saw no shortage of singers and dancers. Many more people filed through the resource fair, taking in the dozens of tables, including those from the Chicago Department of Public Health, American Red Cross, AARP, Illinois Comptroller’s Office, and more.
Another tent featured line dancing, games, and a photo booth. In the art tent just across from the Pritzker Pavilion, illustrators drew caricatures of attendees, and people decorated bags and made mosaic art.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced the event from the stage and recognized the value of older adults in the city.
For information on Senior Fest, contact your local senior center or email seniorfest@cityofchicago.org.
