People get out on the dance floor to enjoy the entertainment held monthly at the Bethel Township Fire Hall.
A dance is drawing a crowd from all over Armstrong County on the third Saturday of each month.
Bethel Township Volunteer Fire Department sponsors the Oldies Dance. Fire Department President Dave McDonald said the dance has been going on for more than 25 years.
“We’ve had the same deejay. The era of music doesn’t change. This is a very distinct crowd that comes here. We get new people in, but it is the same demographic of people. They are in their mid-twenties to their eighties. They want to have a nice time - no bar, no drama - a nice social evening out with their friends and family. It’s a drama-free evening.”
Deejay Tom Lanning cues up the next song he will play at the Bethel Township Fire Hall Oldies Dance.
McDonald said the deejay plays “oldies,” but the term “oldies” depends on what age you are!
“Tom Lanning plays everything from the 50s to the 80s, and even a few dance songs from today. He also plays requests. He is a superb deejay. As long as Tom is deejaying, the dance will go on. If Tom decides to hang it up we will have to evaluate where to go from here with the dance. Tom is a staple of the community and has known these people for a long time,” McDonald said.
People come to dance, but they also enjoy the food. Teresa Berrett, President of Bethel Township Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, said the kitchen stays pretty busy with three volunteers serving up the typical platters of burgers, chicken fingers, fries and much more.
McDonald said the dance is one of many fundraisers the firemen must have to keep their department viable.
“In January, we are starting bingo on Monday nights. We are pretty far out here, so many times, it is the same people who support our functions. We are hoping bingo will draw others to come and play. When you are in the country, you are at a disadvantage. In town, you have the walking crowd. Here they have to drive to come. We are always trying to increase revenue so we can provide for the community.”
McDonald said that anyone wanting to get involved with the fire department can come out on Monday nights and talk to someone to see how they want to participate.
“It isn’t just individuals who are able to go into a burning building. We also need people who can assist with building maintenance, help at functions, and many other things that help us to keep going.”
McDonald said bingo will begin on January 8 with early bird games at 7:15 and main bingo at 7:30. He invites players to come and try their luck.
Teresa Berrett, President of Bethel Township Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, serves a platter of food to Mike and Jan Baka from Dayton. When asked why they drive to the event each month, Mike said, “It’s the only oldies dance around.”