Norma McCollum could have a new job in her future, if brushing mascara on the face of grown men is a career goal.

McCollum, director of the Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation, could be found Thursday night before Poke Sallet Follies, tube of mascara in hand, darkening the beards and mustaches of some of the participants, including local attorney Don Mansell.

As the participants prepared to entertain the crowd, walking behind the scenes of Poke Sallet was almost like attending a costume party. Some of Athens and Limestone County’s political gurus were a little difficult to recognize at first glance as they were adorned with wigs, sunglasses and outfits that took them back a few decades.

Poke Sallet veteran Jimmy Gill, who has been in the show for 14 years, said he had been practicing for six weeks. He was in several acts including “Disco Inferno,” and “Regrets,”

“I’m gonna be throwing down,” he said.

Eight year veteran Brian Patterson, Limestone County’s Revenue Commissioner, also known as KC of KC and the Sunshine Band, performed “That’s the Way I Like It,” in a disco medley.

“It’s a very good cause, (that’s) what we’re doing it for,” he said.

The era of disco was not really of Kim Glaze’s time, but she did a good job of looking the part for her spot in the opening act of the show.

While she didn’t know the names of the moves she sported in her act, “They were somewhat difficult,” Glaze said.

With the opening act, a Donna Summers number entitled “Last Dance,” most of the cast graced the stage with a little disco groove. Some had more rhythm than others.

Among other acts to follow were Jim Moffat and Greg Glaze in “Blues Brothers,” Herby Greenhaw, Will Weir, Mike Davis, and Athens Mayor Dan Williams in “Lettermen Medley,” and Jimmy Gill, Sandra Bishop, Judy Harvey and Vicki Beddingfield in “Regrets.”

This year’s Poke Sallet Follies marks the 14th year of the variety show’s existence. It kicked-off Thursday night and will conclude tonight at Athens Senior Center on Pryor Street. Money raised from the event supports the Limestone County Council on Aging and such programs as Meals-On-Wheels.

By the time Poke Sallet wraps up tonight, hundreds of people will have attended the event, which consists of a catered dinner and a two-hour variety show.

Sandra Marks, wife of Athens City Councilman Ronnie Marks, caught the show Thursday night.

“Athens has a lot of talent,” Marks said. “I’m not sure we see a lot of it here but it is fun.”

She said the dancing portion of the show puts some of the participants out of their element.

“A lot of these people don’t even dance,” she said.

This year’s performances made the second year for Athens resident Tom Dolen to attend.

“It was good last year and we had a good time, had good laughs, so I’m looking forward to this year.”

Jackie Greenhaw is the director of this year’s Poke Sallet themed “Disco Fever,” and the show was dedicated to Helen Carter, retired director of Limestone County Council on Aging.