VIDEO: Seniors Walk Runway in Fashion Show

Even though she can no longer attend her beloved belly dancing classes, 89-year-old Peg Colt still found a way to celebrate her birthday in style. She attended the South County Senior Center’s first ever fashion show Wednesday.

A recent back procedure forced Colt to stop belly dancing and tap dancing, but she said it will take more than an injury to keep her from having fun.

Colt, who lives in Edgewater, volunteers at the senior center and said she was delighted to attend the event—the most recent example of the community’s “feisty” youthfulness, according to another volunteer, Rose Brown.

“We’re the feistiest senior center in the county,” Brown said. “[Colt] is one of the feistiest ones too.”

Colt was one of more than 120 people who attended the event while .

During the show, 15 senior models walked the runway wearing outfits from various cultures. Twelve women and three male “escorts” presented wardrobes ranging from African ceremonial garbs to colonial English dance attire.

One model, Usha Barkat, wore a dress of Indian decent that has been in her family for three generations.

“It’s a Sari my mother wore 50 years ago for my wedding and then I wore it for my daughter’s wedding,” Barkat said. “It’s an old one.”

Other models also wore dresses from their past, including a woman who donned one from her wedding reception.

“Her marriage didn’t last but the gown continues to have a life,” said the “mistress” of ceremonies during the fashion show, followed by a loud laugh from the audience.

In addition to having fun, the show let residents celebrate Black History Month, said Denise Miller, the center's office manager.

“[Brown] came in with an idea for Black History Month and then we decided to do fancy fashions of the world,” Miller said. “Even though you’re a senior, you can still be dressed well and look good.”

Miller said it was about 100 volunteers who made the event possible.

“Because of the budget cuts, we’re down to two employees at the senior center,” Miller said.

The show was a large success, thanks to the vibrant community and its response to the event, volunteer and coordinator Sally Guaragna said.

“There’s life after retirement,” Guaragna said. “It’s not the age in your life, it’s the life in your years.”