EVANS, Ga. (WJBF) – In Evans Saturday, some special folks got to Dance like Stars. This is the first Dancing With the Stars prom hosted by Columbia County Parks, Recreation, and Events department.
Janet Wheatley, Programs and Events Manager with Columbia County Parks, Recreation, and Events told WJBF, “We do a lot of inclusive events for younger age groups, but we’ve never done anything for older teens and adults. So this is our first time to try that and tonight we have over 50 people that are going to be joining us so we’re looking forward to, hopefully growing this every year.”
Guests and their caregivers enjoyed a fun night of dancing, food, and music. One attendee told us about how excited he was for the event. Garrett Dorsey, an attendee told WJBF, “It feels great! I plan on dancing and having a good time.”
And caretakers love having opportunities for their loved ones to be amongst their peers. Henry Townsend and his mother were also in attendance and told WJBF, “It’s really important because in our town there’s only two Downs people, period, in Washington. So he doesn’t get to hang out with people like him very often so this is very important.”
Wheatley says, “I think sometimes people don’t always, can find the right places to go or know the right groups to join. So hopefully tonight’s a good way for them to get in and meet new people, learn about other groups and other places that they can join and that’s just our goal is to hopefully give people a way to come together.
Townsend said, “Other people could be having struggles that we’ve already been through and we can help them get through those struggles and just share the achievements and wonderful lives and the happiness that these children bring to everybody they meet. Everybody who meets Henry smiles, like you all right now.”
For more information on how you can get involved with Columbia County Parks, Recreation and Events Office go to https://www.columbiacountyga.gov/180/Parks-Recreation-Events/.
