Dust off those old skates and dig out a pair of bell bottoms, because Riverhead is holding its first of two roller disco events Thursday night.
The free event will be held under a glimmering disco ball at the hockey rink at Stotzky Park, where a DJ will spin some groovy tunes from the years of big hair and sequin jackets.
Roller skate rentals will be available for $5 a pair, but if you bring your own skates, access to the rink will be free.
“Roller skating was such a popular sport because the roller disco halls were a place to hang out with your friends, dance to good music – it’s something that’s really nostalgic for a lot of people,” said Danielle Doll, cultural affairs supervisor at Riverhead Town’s recreation and senior departments. “We thought it would be something fun for the community that the whole family could get involved in.”
Riverhead Town has held a handful of roller discos in past years, which Doll said received “great turnouts.” But it’s been several years since the town’s last roller disco event, and Doll decided this year to try bringing them back.
“We had all these roller skates just sitting there, and we remembered how much fun everyone had the first time we did the program,” Doll said.
“We think it will draw a big mix of ages – adults who are nostalgic for the days when roller skating was all the rage, and also to entice the kids who have never done it before, who represent a new generation of skaters.”
The event is part of the town’s intergenerational department, which was born from a merger of Riverhead’s recreation and senior departments last year. Intergenerational programming gets kids, parents and seniors together for the same activities and gives residents across a wide range of ages an opportunity to mingle.
“Having those types of social connections lowers the risk of not just mental illnesses, like depression, but physical illnesses too,” Doll said.
Past intergenerational programs and events have been “a big success,” she said.
“Both generations have a lot to teach each other,” Doll said. “At first a lot of seniors can be a little hesitant to have kids around, but every time we’ve done a program where they’ve been mingling with kids, it’s been great for everyone involved.”
The roller disco event will last from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday night. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, September 14.
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