Seniors danced the night away at a local prom Monday night. Too early for prom, you may ask? These are not high school seniors, but senior citizens, who donned their dancing shoes for the SouthernCare Senior Prom 2013.

The theme was “Music Through the Decades.” The walls of the Lincoln Civic Center echoed with tunes from mostly the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. And there was a lot of dancing going on. SouthernCare Community Relations Director Melissa Leggett said attendees were slow dancing, line dancing and even did the “Cha Cha Slide.” Several local groups also performed dances, the Good Time Line Dancers and the Camellia Line Dancers, instructed by Sharon Langley, and the Dixie Dancing Stars Round Dance Club, instructed by Winnie Lowery and Carey Moak.

“I danced my heart out. I had a ball,” said attendee Carolyn Reed. “We look forward to the next one.”

The color scheme was black and white, but the event was laid back, with a “come as you are” dress code. Leggett said some wore formals and some were in casual dress.

Local photographer Jenny Lynn took prom pictures and the free photographs are going to be mailed to the participants.

Several different sponsors and nursing homes donated goodie bags and Bromas donated the food. Boutonnieres and wrist corsages were donated by Roots and Ribbons, Shipp’s Flowers and Bertha’s.

Bank of Brookhaven was the title sponsor and Bank of Brookhaven Vice President Shannon Aker emceed.

A king and queen were also crowned, Jim West and Reba Rawls, whose names were drawn. Everyone filled out a slip of paper upon entering to get the chance to be crowned and also for door prizes.

“The food was good and everybody just had a good fellowship and looked like they were having a wonderful time,” said attendee Bonnie Brown.

Leggett said this is the second year for the event. Last year, around 220 dancers, including volunteers, attended. SouthernCare Volunteer Coordinator Denise Thames and head coordinator for the prom said they had about 100 more this year.

Thames said Hattiesburg has been sponsoring a senior citizen prom for almost 20 years. Two years ago, she attended, and decided to bring the idea to Brookhaven.

This year’s prom committee was made up of Thames and several volunteers from the community.

Nursing homes brought attendees to the event including Meadville Convalescent Home, Liberty Community Living Center, Copiah Living Center, Pine Crest Guest Home, Countrybrook Living Center, Silver Cross Home and Adams County Nursing Center.

SouthernCare is a hospice provider in Brookhaven. The prom was possible because of several local sponsors.