STARKVILLE — Put on your dancing shoes.
KMG Creations Productions is hosting the 16th annual Dancing in the Park from 9-11 a.m. July 19 in Fire Station Park, 503 East Lampkin St. The free family friendly event is being held alongside the Starkville Community Market, a release from KMG said.
“It always brings me great joy to host this event each year,” Kayla Marie Gilmore, founder and owner of KMG Creations, said in the release. “I remember the very first year thinking – how can I bring the community together through dance and movement, and make it fun for everyone? It happened, and here we are 16 years later.”
Participants are encouraged to bring their fans for a Boots on the Ground line dance at the event for a special surprise, Gilmore said in the release.
Gilmore created the event in memory of her sister, Alecia Tyler, and her niece, Brandie Tyler, who passed away in a car accident in 2007. The event also honors the memory of Kenny Tucker, Bridish Gilmore and veteran Miles Veasley.
The celebration acts as a tribute, “uplifting the legacies of those lost through a joyous expression of life, love, and unity through the arts, the release said.
“For 16 years, Dancing in the Park has been a cornerstone of Starkville’s community spirit – showcasing local talent and welcoming national performers,” Charla Laney, Starkville Community Market coordinator, said in the release. “It’s one of those special events that reminds us how powerful the arts are in bringing people together. We love seeing families, dancers, and marketgoers all enjoying the rhythm of community.”
This year’s event will feature the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company from Atlanta, Georgia. ACDC “brings Chinese and Chinese American history to life through the art of traditional and contemporary Chinese dance,” the release said.
The troupe has been performing for decades, but may be best known for its role in the U.S. Centennial Olympic Games, the release said.
The event will also feature performances by the Starkville Cowboys Cheerleaders, The Starkville Steppers, TrueVine Tru Praisers of Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, Conductor Kayla Marie from The Learning Train with Kayla Marie and Friends, Vocalist Asia Ellis and Sounds by DJ D-South.
The event will also include face painting, balloon animals, photo booths and more, the release said. In case of rain, the event will relocate to Rick’s Cafe.
For more information, visit kmgcreationsdfp.com.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 33 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
