Golden Years Club members dance the morning away at the 52nd Annual celebration sponsored by CBC on Thursday, December 17th.

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About 1,200 seniors filled the Exposition Center at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh for a grand holiday celebration on Thursday, December 17, 2009.   For 52 years, Capitol Broadcasting Company has sponsored the annual festive event for the Raleigh Parks & Recreation’s Golden Years Clubs.

The theme turned country gospel for the event which moved to the Fairgrounds this year.  Vendors lined the back wall as seniors enjoyed a sit-down breakfast before the program. 

WRAL-TV Anchors Debra Morgan & Gerald Owens emceed the event.  The Rev. Michael Pope, Sr., brother of soon-to-be CBC retiree Paul Pope, offered the invocation.  And then the fun began.

The Raleigh Foot Notes from the Whitaker Mill Line Dancers do several dances during the holiday program.

WRAL-TV’s Debra Morgan (left) & Gerald Owens (center), emcees for the event, enjoy visiting with the Golden Years seniors.

Seniors gets into the holiday spirit with dancing to some festive Christmas tunes.

The seniors were regaled with Christmas tunes from gospel singer Carolyn Ryals and country singer Timmy Dee.  The Raleigh Foot Notes, from the Whitaker Mill Line Dancers, danced a few numbers, and then Jeanne Jolly and Her Mistletoes took the stage and got the crowd dancing.  After Jolly’s festive set, the Raleigh Foot Notes came back to the stage & taught the crowd some line dances, which got everyone up on their feet again.

Raleigh Parks & Rec has over 48 senior clubs in which 2,200 people participate annually.