SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury’s Scandinavian Athletic Club (SAC) Park was home to one highly anticipated picnic.
On June 8, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis hosted his annual Senior Picnic. Over 1,200 seniors (ages 60-plus) from all around Central Mass. visited the drive-through-style picnic for free food, other goodies and an opportunity to speak with the sheriff. Evangelidis went to almost every car, handing out air fresheners and engaging in conversation. Some lucky picnic-goers also won raffle baskets.
“I get to see such great people every year. It’s always an uplifting event. People are excited; they’re happy. It’s a really special day where we get to give back to the community. It’s a happy day. A lot of days in the world you’re fighting with stuff, but today it’s all positive. That’s how I feel about it: The minute I pull in here, I feel this happy energy. The amount of gratitude people have, it’s really special,” Evangelidis told the Community Advocate.
Evangelidis said the event keeps getting bigger every year.
In addition to several community partners, dozens of volunteers made the event possible, helping direct traffic, hand out food and greet guests. Aside from the boxed lunches given to the seniors, volunteers could be seen passing out freshly popped popcorn, candy, extra waters, Worcester County sheriff-branded merchandise, and other items to help the picnickers remember the event.
New WooSox mascot Clara — the “Heart of the Commonwealth” — made an appearance at the picnic.
