Westchester's 2026 Senior Dance Party Filled With Fun & One Special Heartfelt Tribute

They came in droves from all over county and the estimated attendance was an outstanding 2,200 seniors who arrived by cars, buses and shuttles. As temperatures climbed to the mid-80s, there wasn't any shortages of smiles as they came laughing with their happy dancing feet. It didn't rain for once so the weather was a big contributor to this year's success. Presented by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, the Dance Party arranged over 200 tables underneath a massive tent, fully demonstrated that the County continues to show love and support for their seniors. With an amazing up-tempo DJ playing everything from Michael Jackson and the Village People to Gloria Gaynor and the Grease soundtrack, the seniors not only danced and sang, but there was line dancing and different kinds of dance lessons that took place.

Above all of the dance and laughing, there was a special tribute to the newly retiring and respected Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), Ms. Mae Carpenter. County Executive Kenneth Jenkins spoke with a proud heart of the fine work Ms. Carpenter had done over the years to make the county's seniors feel special and that they are certainly not forgotten. Mae Carpenter has held her post since 2001 and has been a positive proponent for Westchester seniors for over 30 years. She served as Director of the county's Office for the Aging, (the forerunner of DSPS), since 1979.

"What a great day this is!" said Mr. Jenkins. "Westchester County loves our seniors and I am touched to point out the work that Mae (Carpenter) has done over the years, so I want to take a moment to thank you Mae for what you've done and continue to still do, and Westchester County seniors thank you."

Following Mr. Jenkins uplifting speech about the afternoon's events as well as touching words about Ms. Carpenter, other County notables spoke including Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald, Acting Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation William Bland, John Cochran, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Aging, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea-Stewart Cousins and of course Mae Carpenter.

Ms. Carpenter spoke eloquently about how seniors should be honored and not forgotten but also stressed the importance of "informal caregiving", a process by which a senior is cared for as an unpaid position by family, friends, or neighbors with daily activities, health needs, or emotional needs. This noble process offers excellent experience for those looking to go into care giving.

At the conclusion as the DJ played Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York", the seniors started making their way home with the same smile that they came with and more so. The afternoon was a major success and so many people started talking about next year's party.

The 2026 Westchester Senior Dance Party was and sponsored by Westchester County Parks and the Bee-Line Bus System.