The Dartmouth Council on Aging held a tailgate party on Friday, May 27 where about 100 seniors came together for lunch and dancing outside of the Maria Connor Center for Active Living.

Attendees were treated to a boxed lunch courtesy of Coastline Elderly Services before being serenaded by local DJ Jordan Paiva.

Paiva sang and danced to a selection of classic songs like “Johnny B. Goode” and “Let’s Twist Again” and soon had the crowd on its feet, cutting a rug across the sidewalk.

“Oh my goodness it’s good to be back and outside,” he said.

Despite dark clouds in the sky early in the day, the rain held off, providing perfect weather for the event.

“The weather was tricky this morning but luckily it cleared up,” said COA Director Amy DiPietro.

DiPietro noted that the party was the third such tailgate held by the COA.

She said the idea started during Covid because of the need for social distancing but outlasted pandemic-era restrictions for one simple reason:

“It was just so fun,” she said.

The COA will follow the tailgate with a beach party at Apponagansett Park on June 6 featuring a cookout and entertainment.

Attendees can register for the event for $5.