ST. ANDREWS, N.S. — There is something that just sounds right about a rockin’ country dance in St. Andrews.
On May 25, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the Antigonish Town and County Crime Prevention Association will host their third annual fundraising dance featuring ‘Rockin’ County,’ at the St. Andrews District Community Centre.
There will be a cash bar and canteen available for the age 19-and-older event. A 50-50 draw will also be part of the night.
“They have gone very well for us; it draws a significant crowd,” association chair Travis DeCoste said, referencing the first two dances.
He said association members decided their fundraising efforts needed a bit of a revamp over the last couple of years; especially in light of a long-time curling bonspiel seeing decreased participation.
“We did a curling bonspiel for 13 years and, last year, we noticed we had a significant decline in participation, so we knew it was time to revamp some of our fundraising ideas. The dance was brought in two years ago by one of our members,” he said, noting the member had a close association with the centre.
“They were happy to host us and we’ve been happy to be able to offer the dance for the last three years.”
DeCoste said the money goes “directly back into the programming.” He listed driver safety program Operation Boomers, the walking club and Vial of Life as a few examples, all of which fall under the senior safety co-ordinator position.
He also noted Antigonish RCMP community policing officer Morgan MacPherson’s Older Adult Division Police Academy which proved to be a popular program last year.
“Morgan is doing a bit more work on that now,” he said.
Breakfast after dance
To complete the weekend of support for the association, the Antigonish Lions Club is putting on one of their popular pancake breakfast events the following morning.
“So on the 26th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” DeCoste said.
“Hopefully drawing the crowd from the dance the night before, looking for an easy and delicious breakfast,” DeCoste said, of the breakfast which will be held at the Lions’ Den on Highland Drive, across from Saint Andrew Junior School.
