GRANTSVILLE — At the Grantsville Senior Center aerobics class, the 20 or so regulars are all a-twitter about the annual Old Folks Sociable later this month.
"That's all they talk about," instructor Maria Whitworth, 33, says, smiling as she quotes her students: "What's the program about? Who's in charge? Have you got your invitation yet?"
According to a monument on Salt Lake City's Main Street and South Temple, the Old Folks Sociable tradition dates back to 1875, when professional photographer Charles Savage and LDS Church Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter inaugurated "Old Folks Day" to honor fathers and mothers "since which time all persons 70 or more years of age have been honored in nearly every community in Utah."
Grantsville, which began the event in 1884, is believed to be the only remaining community in Utah that still celebrates this tradition and has only canceled it twice in its 125-year history — once in 1901 during a smallpox epidemic and again in 1919 due to an influenza outbreak.
Lois Sandberg, 78, whose roots go back to Grantsville pioneers, says she has never missed a single Sociable. "I love to visit with people whom I haven't seen in years," she says.
Even newer residents like Margaret Brown, 79, who moved here in 2003 from Washington says, "It's quite wonderful. The program is always exceptional."
After a 5K run and car show, the March 28 Sociable will feature a program, dinner and dancing. Those 75 years and older, like Sandberg and Brown, are honored in a special program.
The moniker "Old Folks Sociable" throws off Grantsville's newer residents like Julie Holmes, 26, who moved from West Valley City two years ago. She says she hesitates to go because, "Isn't that just for old people?"
"Not at all," Jeri Butler, Sociable co-chairwoman says. "Anyone 18 years or older is invited, and those 75 years or older are given a free ticket. We don't want to change the name. It's part of the tradition."
She expects about 1,500 people to attend.
If it's any indication of how seriously this city of 10,000 takes this tradition, local LDS Church stakes plan to record the Young Women's broadcast scheduled during the event and show it to their congregations the next night.
Whitworth, who moved to Grantsville in 1999, first became acquainted with the Sociable like most other newcomers. She was asked to help on a committee and by dancing in the program.
"Through the Sociable I got to know so many people who are still our friends," she said.
Whitworth speculates the event has maintained the small-town rural feel of Grantsville, despite its population nearly doubling in the past 10 years, "because residents turn inward."
Along with welcoming newcomers, the Sociable provides a way for longtime residents to preserve a well-loved tradition.
"When I was a little girl, my mom, my aunts and my grandma practiced at home. I looked forward to being able to go and get a new dress," recalled Butler, 47.
"It is an honor to be asked" to chair the event, she said. "There was no way I could say no. It was time for me to give back and people are so willing to help."
With her co-chairman Joe Peterson, Butler heads up 200-plus volunteers on 20 committees. No one gets paid and even the volunteers have to pay the $15 admission. On March 28, she and Peterson will announce their pick for next year's co-chairman and co-chairwoman.
It will inevitably be more fodder for talk at the Grantsville Senior Center's aerobic class.
E-MAIL: jpallen@desnews.com