WILMOT — Something magical happens on a dance floor when a song comes on that both young and not-so-young know how to dance to.

In some circles it might be a polka; in others the Hokey Pokey.

At Wilmot High School on Sunday afternoon it was Donna Summer’s 1979 disco hit “Hot Stuff” that brought them out on the floor to trip the lights fantastic in a line dance.

About 45 members of the school’s National Honor Society entertained 40 senior citizen guests at the annual luncheon and homecoming dance.

“Whoever wants to classify themselves as senior citizens is invited,” Vickie Noll, National Honor Society adviser, said. “We don’t really check IDs.”

Wilmot band teacher John Sorensen and his Southport Kings of Swing jazz quartet have played for the event for eight years.

In between slow dances and swing numbers, Sorensen slipped in a few compact disc tunes that had all generations on the dance floor.

It’s not often teens dance to tunes that were popular 20, 30 and 40 years before they were born. Outside of occasions such as weddings, one senior participant said, there are few if any social occasions where intergenerational dancing occurs.

Senior Brianna Lyke, 17, National Honor Society president, said she enjoyed socializing with the seniors, learning their stories and a few dances along the way.

“It’s really cool to see how they danced back in the day, when everybody was always dancing and having a good time,” senior Michael Rawlins, 17, said. “It’s a little different than the way we dance.”

“And they’re really good at dancing,” senior Liz Geilfuss, 17, said.

Some, like Waukegan resident Dawn Wittig, are regulars at the annual event and come from miles away.

Wittig, 75, said when the dance first started, it was a prom and they dressed accordingly. But most older folks don’t have evening wear, she explained, so now they just wear their Sunday best.

“I think it’s wonderful what they do, I really do. The kids are just marvelous,” Wittig said. “I have grandsons who were about their age when I first started coming. I love dancing with younger people.”

What brought Don Christoffel, 75, of Antioch, and Julia Jaroz of Trevor to the event was more than just the music. Their’s was the first group through the doors.

Christoffel spoke of the event as if it were a nightclub of days gone by.

“The music, the food, the friendliness — that’s what brings us here. There’s a very friendly atmosphere here,” he said.

It’s that kind of friendly atmosphere that turns back the clock for this bunch.

“If they play a polka, the older ones get out there, and you’d think they were teenagers,” Wittig said.