Gilpin County - Last Saturday, September 28, 2024, the Gilpin County Community Center was buzzing with energy as about 50 locals came together for a festive fundraiser/dance party hosted by the Friends of Gilpin County Community Center (FGCCC).
From 5:30 to 9 p.m. at 250 Norton Drive, this colorful event featured music that spanned generations, bringing everyone to their feet for a night of fun and celebration.
The idea for the event came from volunteer Marilyn Ashmore, who, back in January, dreamed of throwing a celebration to show off the lively support for the community center. The dance party delivered on her vision, showcasing music from the 1920s to the present, and featuring everything from classic jazz to modern hits. Attendees enjoyed dancing the night away to 55 carefully curated songs that told the story of music’s evolution through the decades.
Decorations added to the party’s charm, with old sheet music and over 40 vinyl records hanging from the ceiling, including some from Ashmore’s father’s own collection. Wall murals of dancers added a nostalgic touch, and anonymous judges crowned the best-dressed guests in a costume contest.
For just $30 per ticket (with discounts for teens, seniors, and children), guests also enjoyed a variety of light refreshments – lemonade, apple juice, fruits, pretzels, nuts, chips, and candy. Children under five attended free, making the event an all-ages affair.
One of the evening’s highlights was a freestyle dance group from Boulder, performing contemporary hip hop moves. “We wanted to teach the older generations some of the newer styles of dancing,” said Ashmore with a smile.
While the party was certainly about having fun, it also had a greater purpose: raising funds for an on-demand video exercise program at the Community Center. This innovative subscription service will allow residents to access fitness classes – like yoga and Zumba – on their own schedules, expanding the Center's offerings without requiring instructors. “Tonight was about raising funds to ‘raise the fun’ at the Center,” Ashmore explained.
The dance was also a way to celebrate the Community Center's recent reopening after undergoing much-needed improvements, including updates to the roof, HVAC system, flooring, and pool filters.
The pool itself is set to reopen on October 4. Carolyn Petersen of FGCCC emphasized the importance of keeping the Center “front and center” in the minds of both the community and County commissioners, ensuring that it remains a hub for residents.
Dedicated volunteers, including Carolyn Petersen, Karen Eye, Greg Petty, Sherry Locton, Lynn Gibbs, Mary Lorenz, John Bryan, Roxy Goss, Krystal Meyer, and Gabrielle Chisholm, worked hard to make the night a success. Sponsors like United Power, Hi-Heat & Sweets, The Mountain-Ear, The Weekly Register-Call, and private donors helped bring the event to life.
The FGCCC continues to grow, and they need your support! Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating, or just spreading the word, every little bit helps keep the Gilpin County Community Center thriving. As Ashmore so aptly put it, “We finally got capital improvements!” and with the community’s help, the fun is just getting started.
For more information or to get involved, visit FGCCC on Facebook or check out their website at gilpincommunitycenter.org. And as the dance party proved, this community isn’t going to stop believing in their Community Center anytime soon!
