Rock-a-Hula makes a splash in Burbank

In only its second year, it’s hardly an oldie, but Burbank’s Rock-a-Hula event at the Verdugo Aquatic Facility on Thursday afternoon was a goody, many participants said.

“I thought it was fantastic,” said Burbank resident Ron Coyne, decked out in a palm tree-print shirt and an artificial flower lei.

Standing beside him, his wife, Sandra, said she enjoyed the opportunity “just getting us out” for exercise, socializing and fun.

PHOTOS: Partygoers have fun despite the sun at Rock-a-Hula

The hula-themed pool party for the city’s 55-and-older crowd, featured food, live music, swimming, dancing and swim-dancing — water-dance instructor Deni King led participants in “aqua boogie,” a low-impact water-aerobics workout.

The heat may have kept some away, but the senior splash fest drew more than 160 seniors, said Erin Barrows, a recreation services manager for the city. That’s a bit shy of the 200 who showed up last year, but still a respectable showing for one of the four free events the city puts on at the pool, she said. There were returning partyers and new ones, too, she said.

Not only could residents twist again, like they did last summer, but there were a few tweaks to make the event better, such as positioning the tables to provide more shade-cover this year, she said.

“It makes it more enjoyable,” Barrows said, adding that watching the residents enjoying the pool makes the hard work of putting on the event worth it.

Seated at a table in the shade and wearing a Hawaiian shirt and straw hat, Hector Acevedo said he was back for a second year and plans to come back for a third.

“We love it,” he said of the event.

He’s got good reasons — he said his favorite part was watching his son Alex Acevedo play lead guitar in the band Joe Finkle and the 7/10 Splits, which was also back for a second year, providing the golden-oldie tunes.

However, one of last year’s crooners was absent from the stage — the Elvis of the dais, Mayor Bob Frutos. The pool party, which was first held last August, was his brain child, inspired by the Elvis movie “Blue Hawaii.”

Frutos was on hand this year, but he said he was too busy socializing with the party-goers to make it over to the microphone for a song. Some residents had tough questions for him, others expressed support and still others had stories to share. One woman reminisced with him about her first kiss there in Verdugo Park as a young lady.

Frutos, who wore a Disney-themed Hawaiian shirt, said the party is a way to tell Burbank’s elderly residents that he and his colleagues on the City Council are thinking about them and will do “whatever’s reasonable” to help meet their needs.

“This is just a small symbol to let them know that we care,” Frutos said. “Elvis music, hot dogs, chips and a pool — what’s a better way?”

Barrows said the response was positive, with many departing party guests complimenting their hosts on the way out.

Sandra Coyne said she hopes the pool party will be back again next summer.

Frutos said it will. He said he’ll work to ensure Rock-a-Hula is here to stay.