When you think of life after 55, dancing, twirling batons and marching around in a performing squad are probably not the first things that come to mind.
But for the members of the Sun City Poms, that’s exactly what they’ve been up to for more than two decades.
Mary Zirbel, 81, who’s been part of the group for 23 years, first saw them perform in a parade and knew immediately that was what she wanted to do. “My daughter had a great big birthday party for when I turned 80 back in Wisconsin,” she said, “and of course, my baton was there. I was twirling all over the place.”
The Sun City Poms is a marching squad for women 55 and older who live in Arizona’s Sun City, a huge retirement community. The group currently boasts 30 members, and according to president Peggy Parsons, age is just a number.
The older you are, the louder the cheers from the crowd,” Parsons said. “Ginger, our 90-year old, always gets the loudest,” she said.
But being a Pom is not just about getting along with the group; it’s also a big commitment. The group performs at 40 to 50 events per year, including parades, conventions, and memory-care facilities. Despite the hard work, they have an annual show that attracts more than 700 people.
Peggy Parsons, left, performing a routine with the Sun City Poms. Photo by Mike Francher
Their friendship goes beyond the squad’s practices and performances. “We Are Family” is a routine they perform, and according to Parsons, “we requested that our teacher teach it because we like each other so much. They’re like sisters.”
The group is proof that retirement doesn’t have to be boring or lonely. For Parsons, the group is like having a family. “Sometimes I feel like I’m their mother because I’m one of the older ones,” she says. “And that’s wonderful because I had three sons; I didn’t have any daughters. And now I can share all these pretty costumes and fun outfits.”
Despite the challenges, the group always finds a way to have fun. Zirbel recalled a memorable moment during a performance in a Wild West town. “All of a sudden, I turn around and I stepped in this big, big pile,” she remembers. “Well, I got that cleaned off. Now what do I do with these things in my hand? So I just dropped them and I pranced off.”
“We have a secret weapon to looking good, and that’s the pantyhose,” said one member. Photo from Today
The Sun City Poms is not only a dance squad, but also a support group for women who want to make the most of their retirement years. The Sun City Poms may not have started out as cheerleaders or marching band members, but they’ve found a way to keep dancing, twirling batons and having fun. “If I can do it, I still want to do it,” Zirbel said.
“Last year, I started thinking, ‘Oh, maybe I’m getting too old for this.’ But you know what? The people love it. The crowd loves it. And if I can do it, I still want to do it,” she says.
Meanwhile, Parsons — who writes romance novels in her spare time — has her eyes set on a new goal.
“I’m hoping to get to be 90 so that they can celebrate with me,” she said, explaining later the Sun City Poms’ goal: “we aspire to inspire before we expire.”
