Elmo, Oscar, Bert, Ernie and Abby drew considerable attention at the Young at Heart Expo: Redefining Our Aging Years held at the 91原创 Events Centre fieldhouse on Saturday, Oct. 14.

It was the first appearance at a public event for the five shepherd-mastiff puppies, who were discovered abandoned in a tote by the side of Highway 1 Thursday, Oct. 6 and taken to the 91原创 Animal Protection Society (LAPS) Patti Dale Animal Shelter in Aldergrove.

Some rescued puppies were drawing a lot of attention at the Young at Heart: Redefining Our Aging Years Trade Show at the 91原创 Events Centre fieldhouse, running till 4 p.m. Saturday

鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)

As visitors oohed and awed and leaned in to pet the sociable puppies in their playpen, Jen Schroeder, LAPS director of philanthropy and communications, said the dogs will likely be ready for adoption 鈥渋n about a month.鈥�

鈥淸They are] definitely a draw for people to come to our booth,鈥� Schroeder told the 91原创 Advance Times.

READ ALSO: Five puppies abandoned in bin at side of highway in 91原创

It was also an opportunity for LAPS to promote its 14th annual fundraising gala to be held next month, on Nov. 14. The will mark 20 years of LAPS working for animal welfare in 91原创.

On the other side of the main fieldhouse arena where the expo was being held, Kristina Crosgrey and some volunteers from the had set up a net with paddles and balls for novices interested in trying the increasingly popular sport.

鈥淲e鈥檙e here to demonstrate,鈥� Crosgrey explained.

鈥淭hey can try a paddle, if they want to hit a few shots, and we can explain the general rules of the game and how it鈥檚 played.鈥�

Pickleball is an increasingly popular sport, with membership in the Douglas Park group at 250 and growing, Crosgrey estimated.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an addictive, fun sport, very social,鈥� Crosgrey said.

鈥淚 think they鈥檇 find that, anywhere they play, but [especially] at Douglas Park. It鈥檚 just a lot of fun, a great way to stay active and healthy.鈥�

READ ALSO: An 鈥榓ddictive鈥� sports draws devotees to 91原创 City Park

From its 11 a.m. opening to 4 p.m. closing, the expo featured live music, courtesy of 鈥� who packed the seats in front of the stage area, making multiple appearances during the day.

Elliott thanked the Rotary Club of 91原创 Central for sponsoring his performances.

There were dozens of exhibitors, with everything from travel agencies, to care providers, seniors residences, hearing clinics, dental clinics, memorial services, estate planning agencies and more.

A representative from the Royal Canadian Legion B.C. and Yukon branch was present, and so was the Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society, the National Association of Federal Retirees (NAFR) and other bodies.

Organizer Renee Pal, Black Press Media events manager, described the expo as a 鈥渨onderful community event bringing everyone together.鈥�

鈥漈his is the first time we鈥檝e had this event in 91原创 and we鈥檙e looking forward to many more,鈥� Pal said.