In what has become a bit of an annual tradition, the highlight and main attraction of this year’s Columbia County Fair Senior Citizen’s Day was again the Silver Belles of Springhill, La. -- an area dance group that shows age is just a number.
With nine members total, the dancers' ages range from their 60s and into their 90s. On Tuesday, four members of the dance squad -- Christine Snider, 73, of Springhill; Nerlene Craighead, 78, of Shongaloo; Lois Triplet, 83, of Lake Erling; and Vila Mae Dennis, 90, of Sarepta-- moved and shuffled through a breezy, yet stifling afternoon under the fairground’s pavilion where highs reached the upper 90s. But for these ladies sponsored by the Springhill Medical Center, a few bottles of cold water and a little rest between sets was all they needed.
“We are a mature group,” Snider said jokingly.
The Belles are traveling roadshow of sorts now. They meet three days per week as a line-dance and exercise class, but also entertain elderly establishments throughout the area.
“We mainly go to nursing homes,” said Triplet. “When you see people singing along and tapping their toes, that’s what really makes you feel good.”
The group may have been shorthanded this week, but they made up for it in enthusiasm. Their first dance number was set to the Eydie Gorme tune, “Blame It On The Bossa Nova,” while their next set was slowed down to T.G. Sheppard’s “Last Cheater’s Waltz.”
The interactive finale, however, was a little more modern. The Silver Belles, with a little help from the audience and staff from area eldercare centers, took the stage to the 2007 Cupid line dance song “Cupid Shuffle.” The dance was apparently a hit in 2018 when the group first performed to it.
“Last year, people asked for it,” Snider added.
The Silver Belles were not the only entertainment on the day. Justin Tidwell of Calvary Baptist Church brought his guitar and sang multiple renditions of classic gospel and Christian songs. Door prized were handed out as well.
The day saw the oldest male in attendance, Jake Glass at 88-years-old, awarded a special gift bag, while Dennis of the Silver Belles, the eldest female in attendance, was recognized and gifted a prize as well.
“That says something when you win the oldest female prize and you’re one of four dancing,” said Briana Woods, emcee of the event and social worker at Wentworth Place.