BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Senior citizens from all across Boston celebrated the New Year a day early with a celebration sponsored by the city's Age Strong Commission Monday.
The 2,500 seniors, who came from every neighborhood in the city, were treated to a turkey dinner, music, and dancing.
Suzanne, who lives in the Back Bay, told WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe she looks forward to the Senior First Night Celebration.
"It's good for the seniors to have this every year," she said. "You meet lots of nice people. It's different!"
With party hats and noisemakers, the seniors counted down to "Happy New Year" a day and a half early with Mayor Marty Walsh.
Among them was Richard Vernon, a senior who was once homeless, who led the crowd in singing "Auld Lang Syne."
"It's overwhelming, I wasn't expecting this at all," he said. "I'm very honored to be a part of this."
Joan from East Boston said it was "a good get-together with everybody."
Mayor Walsh also looks forward to the event every year. He said senior citizens deserve their own celebration, and recognizing the seniors' contribution to the city was important.
"The seniors in this room and the seniors in our city are the people who built our city," he said. "These are the folks that are at civic meetings in our communities, keeping eyes and ears on our streets. These are the folks who raise our children and our grandchildren. They're just amazing people."
(Photo: City of Boston Age Strong Commission)
WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports
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