On Friday afternoon, as Judy Rogers of Bradford sat in the packed Friendship Table in Bradford, she counted her blessings.

During the annual Christmas party at the facility, she said she found it a joy to be surrounded by several friends, good food and festive music.

And on Christmas, her 25-year-old son will celebrate his birthday.

“And that’s a blessing, too,” Rogers said.

Rogers joined many others from around Bradford, heading to the party that saw record-breaking turnout –– more than 150 people attended the event as of around 2:45 p.m. Friday. At that point, the event had about two hours left.

The Friendship Table was set up for 100 people, and people kept coming into the facility on East Corydon Street for friends, food and fun, according to Barbara Shufran, chairman of the Friendship Table. The facility was packed to overflowing.

For Kathy McGuire of Bradford, she said she felt blessed by the “buttonbox” music performed by Ray Ely of Kane. On Friday, she loved seeing the children smile and being excited at meeting Santa Claus.

The people at the Friendship Table aren’t strangers, she indicated. They are her family, since most of her family members have died, she said.

“I like the party because of the holidays,” McGuire said.

On the menu for Friday were chicken wings, pizza, fruit salads and desserts.

Terri Pare of Bradford said, “I like the Friendship Table’s annual Christmas party. I come every year.”

She said the activity is an added benefit for her this holiday season. She will be heading to a another Christmas party today, Pare said.

Also at the Friendship Table’s Christmas gathering, individuals played games like heads or tails with a quarter and Christmas word bingo. They also sang Christmas carols, and there were plans for people to take part in karaoke.

With a constant stream of people at the Friendship Table on Friday, what made the event so successful compared to previous years?

Shufran said she likens that to the press coverage and music.

“And I think people were just ready to have a good time,” she said.

What’s more, she said the facility is considered a safe place, a location where people can fellowship.

Of the people who come to the facility, officials know 95 percent of them by name, Shufran said. It’s a family atmosphere, she indicated.

“It gives you a great feeling” to help out, said Patti Price, a volunteer from the Church of Christ in Derrick City. Price organized the games for the party. She has volunteered at the Friendship Table for two years.

The party was sponsored by Verizon, and all of the food for the event was donated, according to Shufran.