Seniors braved the heat to boogie during the Oakland Zoo’s 23rd annual Healthy Living Festival on Thursday.
Alameda County District 4 Supervisor Nate Miley and United Seniors of Oakland and Alameda County (USOAC) hosted the event, which featured music by the West Coast Blues Society band featuring Ronnie Stewart, Jock Shock, Eli Albert and a special guest appearance by the legendary Fillmore Slim.
A bevy of booths gave out information on chronic disease prevention, mobility support, mental fitness, nutrition and community enrichment during the popular sold-out event, as more than 3,000 older adults were bussed in from senior centers across the East Bay.
This year’s Festival embraced an expanded theme: “Longevity Lessons from the Animal Kingdom.” Inspired by species known for resilience, mobility, social bonding and long lifespans, the festival highlighted how older adults can adopt similar behaviors to support healthy aging.
Bonnie Parker, of Oakland, plays the tambourine as the West Coast Blues Society band performs during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Fillmore Slim, 91, performs with the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Seniors browse informational booths during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Blues guitarist Jock Shock, right, performs with Ronnie Stewart, left, and the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Seniors listen to the West Coast Blues Society band perform during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Fillmore Slim, 91, performs with the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Lee Willams and Margie Ramos, originally of Chicago, dance to the West Coast Blues Society band as they play “Sweet Home Chicago” during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. The pair just met on the dance floor. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Seniors listen to the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Guitarists Ronnie Stewart and Jock Shock, from left to right, perform with the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Tami DeSellier, center, and others seniors dance to the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Guitarist Ronnie Stewart performs with the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Seniors check out the informational booths during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Eli Albert performs with the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Seniors Matt Williams, of San Leandro, right, and Novella Peterson, of Richmond, line dance to the West Coast Blues Society band during the 23rd Annual Healthy Living Festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)