An annual holiday favorite, ‘Tis the Season is a cherished event for senior citizens put on by the City of Bettendorf. Hosting 80-100 people, the event provides entertainment along with refreshments, all free of charge.
‘Tis the Season has been a beloved tradition the last 14 years, with the exception of 2020. Seniors gather at the Bettendorf Waterfront Convention Center for a day filled with holiday cheer and community connection.
The event was staffed by Bettendorf’s city council and department heads, including Mayor Bob Gallagher. This team facilitated much of the extensive logistics and setup procedures. Tables and chairs filled the ballroom, decorated with festive centerpieces while walls were lined with garlands and hanging ornaments, all to foster high spirits for this event.
Keeping consistent with previous years, the day’s spectacles featured singers, dancers and, of course, Santa.
The Family Museum Dance Company (FMDC) performs at ‘Tis the Season every year, returning each time with a brand-new production. They often perform stories such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas or perform condensed versions of holiday classics like The Nutcracker. FMDC’s 2024 winter show was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with music from the Claymation adaptation.
The company’s performance was a success in many people’s eyes, including senior Kiera Johnson, who played Rudolph. “‘Tis the Season viewers seemed to really appreciate each scene and smile at each part of our storyline. The audience responded with smiles, laughter and enthusiastic applause, showing they enjoyed the show,” Johnson reflected.
This year’s ‘Tis the Season featured a slightly different setup than previous years. Instead of featuring performances on the elevated, built-in stage, a dance floor spread just in front of the stage.
The tables arced around the dance floor, creating a connected atmosphere between the entertainers and the audience.
“Dancing on the floor felt more personal, allowing us to engage directly with the audience in a way that isn’t always possible on a stage,” explained Johnson. “Although it meant a couple changes to spacing and planning for a slicker floor, it added a unique and fun feel to the performance.”
With prominent community members serving and mingling with the guests, the atmosphere was alive with bright spirits and cheer. The city staff cherish the event and are delighted to show their care for their community beyond what their jobs entail. Every year, the mayor provides a video interview to KWQC in which he describes this positivity surrounding ‘Tis the Season.
Senior citizens have enjoyed ‘Tis the Season’s festivities for years, and this year was no exception. “I have been three times: this year, 2024, and two times in 2018 and 2019,” shared Cindy Smith. “My favorite was seeing my next-door neighbors’ daughters dance this year.”
Involving senior citizens in the community holds significant value, and the city of Bettendorf is hopeful that ‘Tis the Season will continue to create meaningful experiences for this demographic and allow community bonds to surface and strengthen.