It’s not a sound usually heard at a variety show practice.

Of course, there’s the normal clamor of people exchanging hellos and catching up on old times above the sounds of tap shoes, tuning clarinets and voices.

But each night as practice begins, the sound of walking canes hitting the ground can be heard as approximately 70 senior citizens prepare for Heartland Senior Services of Story County’s “There’s Something About IOWA!,” an annual variety show that highlights Iowa’s rich heritage through singing, dancing, drama and humor.

This weekend will mark the show’s ninth year. To be eligible to perform, a person must be more than 60 years old and a resident of Story County.

“We try to get someone from every town in the county,” says Chuck Jones, this year’s emcee and former assistant director of the program.

The theme for the production is chosen by a committee each year and tryouts for the show are held in April or May.

“We have tryouts, but we never turn anyone away,” Jones says.

Cay Peet, a petite, feisty 83-year-old woman from Ames, has been in the production since it began in 1995. This year, Peet will be doing a parody of the famous Cherry Sisters from Marion, Iowa, with three other women.

“The Cherry Sisters went into Vaudeville and were so bad, people threw vegetables, fruit and eggs at them,” Peet says. “Hopefully that doesn’t happen to us.”

Also included in the show are the Octagon Tappers, the Heartland Senior Band and many solo acts.

Bonnie Schauper, a 73-year-old Maxwell resident, will be performing “Iowa, What a Beautiful Name” by Meredith Wilson, who also penned “The Music Man.”

“I do a solo every year,” says Schauper as she prepares to go onstage to practice for the show’s finale, a song to the tune of “O Christmas Tree,” rewritten to reflect Iowa life.

When the idea for a senior variety show was first suggested eight years, people were skeptical of the event being a success. However, the first year’s single performance has expanded to two nights and is still a packed house.

“The first night we had to turn people away — a couple hundred I think,” Jones says. “The auditorium holds almost 800 people.”

One might think such a hectic schedule would be hard on the performers, but Jones says the program is structured to be as accommodating as possible.

“We [perform] on Friday night and [again on] Sunday afternoon, so these people have a chance to rest,” Jones says.

Marilyn Johnson, public relations director for the show, explains why the program is such a hit.

“It’s a show that appeals to all ages, young and old,” she says.

Jones says opening night has been full every year since the first night and this year’s second performance is close to full.

“My grandkids come every year — they love it,” Jones says. “It’s not just for older people.”