Electric Slide, Waltz Across Texas, Ziggy, Kokomo and the Chocka-chocka.
These are just some of the line dances Mount Sterling area residents have been learning in preparation for American Legion Post 417’s line dance party on Sept. 27.
The post has been hosting lessons since mid-August. Katie and Jason Raleigh of Grove City have served as the instructors. They will hold one last class at no charge from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 24.
The dance itself will run from 9 p.m. to midnight on Saturday at the post, 27 Clark St. in Mount Sterling. The bar will open at noon for post members and at 7 p.m. to the public (minimum age is 21). The kitchen will furnish snacks throughout the evening.
The dance serves as a fundraiser with proceeds going to Post 417’s building fund. The cover charge is $2.50 for members and $5 for the public. Mount Sterling resident Chris Parker has three reasons to be excited about the dance. First, she is a member of the post’s Ladies Auxiliary. Second, her husband Dusty Parker, who also serves as Mount Sterling’s village administrator, plays in Southern Illusion, the country/rock band that will perform during the dance. Third, she has taken every line dance lesson offered at the post over the last six weeks.
"I have learned a little from a teacher in Indiana where Dusty’s band plays, but that’s only every month-and-a-half to two months," Parker said. "I have learned quite a bit since the lessons started here in Mount Sterling."
She and her friend, Bonnie Liff, talked Parker’s daughter, Amie, 25, into joining them at the lessons.
"We’ve had a lot of fun. It’s been enjoyable with the different people, and it’s also a good way to lose weight," Parker said.
Billy Martin, Post 417’s finance officer and an organizer of the dance, said the turnout for lessons has been "very good."
The response has led post leaders to consider additional line dances for later in the year. Possibilities include Halloween and New Year’s Eve. Martin said the instructors want to start round and square dance lessons, too.
"Hopefully, we can do that in the future when we can get our schedules to work together," he said.
For more information about the Sept. 27 dance, call the post at 740-869-2795.
