Contestants in the Vicksburg Dancing with the Stars are already seeking votes to help them secure the winning position for the third annual competition with the dance off scheduled for Saturday at the Lady Luck Arena.

This year’s contestants include Harley Caldwell and her father-in-law Bill Caldwell, Sr., Annette Kirklin and Kacy Presley, Delores Coomes and Vic Goodwin, Brandon Lott, Elayne and Charles Gamble; Crystal’s Hip Hop Dance Group, Brianne Connelly and Anneka Pakvasa and Colby Hopkins and guest.

All of the proceeds, from the United Way of West Central Mississippi fundraiser will benefit a local literacy program, said Kristen Meehan, the director of marketing and community relations with the local United Way chapter.

“Leaders Encouraging Advancements in Reading Now!, (LEARN!), is a project that will put books into the hands of every third grader,” said Meehan, and contestants are already in the process of soliciting $1 vote donations.

LEARN! will focus on readers, who attend elementary schools in Warren County during the 2014-2015 school year, Meehan said.

“Third grade is when children start to struggle with reading,” and this program aims to make reading fun, she said.

The funding for the program, which will also be supplemented with grant monies, is composed of two primary components.

Meehan said, community leaders, including elected officials, local business owners, athletes and motivational speakers will visit the schools in the fall, introduce the program and discuss the importance of reading and secondly an additional panel of community leaders will visit the schools every other month distributing free books.

“We are going to work together to make this a success,” Meehan said.

School district recommended books will be used and the students’ progress will be tracked, she said.

The dance competition is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. and general admission tickets for the fundraiser, which will include a buffet style meal and dessert bar are $30, $10 for 12 years of age and younger and free for ages five and younger. Reserved tables of eight are also available for $200.

Kirklin and Presley have been heating up the gym at the Purks Y.M.C.A. practicing for their dance debut.

 

To try to win audience votes Kirklin said she and Presley have selected several dance genres using a medley of music.

“We are combining hip hop, ballroom dancing and line dancing all together,” she said.

“We are about 85 percent perfect,” Kirklin said, and added that they were having a fun time preparing for the fundraiser.

Votes for the competitors and tickets can be bought at the United Way office, 920 South St. or by visiting www.unitedwayvicksburg.org/dancing.

If you go

The United Way of West Central Mississippi will host the third annual Dancing with the Vicksburg Stars Fundraiser which is scheduled to run from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Lady Luck Arena, 1380 Warrenton Road. General admission tickets are $30, $10 for ages 12 and younger and free for ages 5 and younger. Reserved tables of eight are also available for $200 and all tickets include the competition, a buffet-style meal and dessert bar. Votes prior to Saturday night’s competition may be purchased for $1 at the United Way office, 920 South St. or by visiting www.unitedwayvicksburg.org/dancing. For more information, call 601-636-1733.

 

For more information, call 601-636-1733.