History of the Golden Years Celebration
Division:
WRAL-TV
Location:
Raleigh
People:
Debra Morgan, Employees, Partners ＆ Friends, Jim Goodmon, Paul Montgomery, Ray Wilkinson, Scottie Stephenson
Community Program Type:
Golden Years Celebration
Type:
Video
Every December, Capitol Broadcasting Company sponsors the Golden Years Holiday Celebration luncheon for the members of the Golden Years Association of the Raleigh (NC) Parks and Recreation Department. Held at the Raleigh Convention and Conference Center in the city’s downtown, the celebration attracts over 1,000 senior citizens each year.
The celebration started in 1958 under the leadership of CBC Corporate Secretary Scottie Stephenson. She continued to be the driving force behind the event every year until her death in 2002. She saw the event grow in attendance from 50 to 1,500 in her over four decades as coordinator. Fred Fletcher, the first General Manager at WRAL-TV, had an active role in the celebration as well, especially reprising the song “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.”
The event includes a variety of musical entertainment and ends with the attendees pushing back their chairs and taking a turn on the dance floor. WRAL-TV news anchors host the program which began as a luncheon and converted to become a breakfast and morning event in 2005.
A portion of the annual event is televised on WRAL-TV on Christmas Day.
The Golden Years Association of the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department sponsors 48 Gold Years Clubs for senior adults aged 55 and older throughout the city. Clubs meet throughout the year and enjoy activities such as hiking, bowling, workshops, trips and a myriad of other activities and special events.