Country and Western Dance

Since 1966, The Golden Age Center in Vernal has held a Country and Western dance aimed at senior citizens. For many years, the house band was known as Kay's Band and was led by piano player/singer Kay Bullock. She passed away in February 2016 at the age of 82. Since her passing, the Country Classic Band, lead by drummer/singer Dennis Sims, has led the dance. Country Classic plays a mix of classic country and 1960s rock and roll. The band members will also play whatever the dancers want to hear.  

Dance attendance averages around 75 people per week. New Year’s and Valentine's dances top 100 in attendance. Most of these attendees are seniors, but an estimated 10-40% are as young as teenagers. Organizers Larry and Winnie donate their time. The band members also all donate their time and talents each week.

The Golden Age Dance is part family reunion, part senior singles mixer. Many of the current attendees have been coming for decades even when the band's location changed. One longtime dancer said the dance was her lifeblood: “It's what I live for. It keeps me feeling good, feeling young."