In a red afro wig and a woman’s pink floral nightgown, Darry Dykstra took the stage in front of an audience of 400. His wife, Heather, was beside him.
The music kicked on and their dance routine started — complete with props, costume changes and jaw-dropping moves.
That was in November 2015, when the Dykstras were the overall fundraising winners for the Noon Rotary Club’s annual Dancing with the Locals competition. On Friday, Nov. 11, the competition will return to the John R. Trinkle Center at Hillsborough Community College for its ninth year.
For Jodi Stevens, event chair, the competition is one of the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World’s most exciting events — and one Plant City residents won’t want to miss.
“Noon Rotary Club was looking for a fundraiser that was different and unique,” Stevens said.
She’s been involved with the competition since it started nine years ago and won the competition in 2010.
“I think that’s why a lot of people like our event, because it is unique,” Stevens said.
Dancing for a Cause
Before the event in November, a committee finds 10 local couples to participate in the competition. Couples are responsible for finding sponsors, with all funds raised going to the Noon Rotary Club. The funds are then dispersed to organizations in the community, including the United Food Bank of Plant City and the City of Plant City’s Fourth of July celebration.
While the community rallies to support the dancers — the event raised over $90,000 last year — finding those dancers can be a challenge.
“That’s the hardest part of this whole event,” Stevens said. “It takes a certain person to dance, dance in front of a large audience and fundraise. The rest of it just kind of comes together.”
With eight years under its belt, the competition has seen 90 couples take the stage, with some individuals dancing more than one year.
“It’s amazing when you think about how many people in this town have danced,” Stevens said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The committee begins the process of finding dancers in June. Once the 10 couples are found, they learn choreography and practicing their dances. This year’s teachers are Kevin Rios, of Just Dance Academy of Dance
and Etiquette in Lakeland, and dance teacher Charlyne Loveridge.
On the night of the event, attendees and sponsors enjoy hors d’oeuvres — last year’s highly coveted mac n’ cheese bar will be making a return in 2016 — and an open bar while dancers compete for the Judges’ Choice award.
Three awards are given to dancers who raised the most money at the end of the night. Guests are encouraged to bring cash to support their favorite dancing couple.
At the end of the night, the dance floor is opened for all attendees.
“I just enjoy the entire night,” Stevens said. “It’s fun from A to Z.”
Tickets to the event sell fast, and guests are encouraged to buy theirs before the competition on Nov. 11. Tickets can be purchased from Stevens or from individual dancers.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.