SHREWSBURY, Mass. — In what has become a growing annual tradition, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis celebrated summer with about 1,000 local seniors as part of his 2024 Senior Picnic.

The picnic is held drive-thru style at the Scandinavian Athletic Club in Shrewsbury, and featured a boxed barbecue lunch for visitors, along with goodie bags, music, giveaways and raffles. Seniors from across Worcester County attended Saturday's picnic.

"It's just a lot of positive energy here, everybody's having a great day, and I'm seeing so many people I haven't seen since last senior picnic," Evangelidis said. "Some folks say this is one of their favorite days. One person said 'my summer doesn't start until we come to the senior picnic.' So, It's just great to see, talk to so many people."

"I think it's a fantastic thing to do every year for our seniors, and I love coming," George Sanders, who was driving through the picnic, said.

The picnic is put on with the help of the Worcester County Reserve Deputy's Association and a number of community partners.