Roberta Lawrence, a senior program assistant for the Meals on Wheels program and the county community centers, said Citrus County's annual senior picnic brings together West Citrus, East Citrus and Central Citrus community centers for a day of entertainment and activities at the Central Citrus Community Center.

Lawrence said the picnic has run for about 21 years and includes performances such as cloggers, belly dancers and Hawaiian dancers, plus live music and a costume contest. "Our seniors love it. They love to dress it up," she said, adding a lighthearted example of a participant who dressed as a chicken.

The event also highlights the county's meal program: "You can get a free hot meal Monday through Friday at any of our 3 community centers, West Citrus Community Center, East Citrus Community Center, or where we are today is Central Citrus Community Center," Lawrence said. She emphasized that the county encourages social activity and said the picnic helps seniors make new friends and join other center programs.

Lawrence noted that while free hot meals are available to people 60 and older, many activities at the centers are open to people under 60 as well. No formal actions or votes were recorded in the transcript regarding the picnic or the meal program.