Although the rain returned for a second year, the 2015 edition of Arcola's Street Dance and Slo Pitch Tournament was a success, as members of the community supported the Aug. 22 and 23 events, with profits earmarked for the Arcola Optimist Club's ongoing restoration of the town's historic Mac Theatre.
“The rain returned-just like last year-but we had really good community support,” says organizer, Cheryl Bell. “This year, a lot of our local Arcola crowd-from the youngest to the oldest-came out, so it really felt like a community event. We'd really like to thank everyone who came out and supported it.”
Arcola residents Bell and her cousin, Katie Walter, first brought back the town's traditional street dance last summer, inspired by the street dances held in their hometown while they were growing up.
“Of course we're disappointed that the rain didn't allow us to hold the street dance right on Main Street, so people could see the awesome job the Optimists have done with the theatre,” says Bell. “But we're grateful that we could move it to Prairie Place and we're happy that people came out in support of this event and this project.”
Along with the street dance, the weekend event also featured a slo pitch tournament. Both years, the tournament has started early (on Friday night), due to the overwhelming interest by area teams.
“We hosted 10 teams this year and slo pitch goes ahead rain or shine,” says Bell. “Teams from Arcola, Kisbey, White Bear, Regina and Brandon came to play.”
This year's tournament winning team was Arcola's Bad Eggs, who won the $500 prize.
Team coach Eugene Brown of Arcola said of the tournament: “It was cold, wet, miserable, but fun.”
Bell says, “This year, we decided that the money raised would be contributed to the Optimist Club for the makeover of the Mac Theatre. The Optimist Club does so much for our town. With their running of the theatre and their renovation of the theatre, they bring great entertainment to Arcola-movies and concerts that everyone throughout the area can enjoy.”
“They've done a great job inside the theatre. The digital sound, the new seats and the renovation inside will be carried on as they make the outside as great as the inside.”
“We would have liked to have had the dance right on Main Street, but rain or shine, people came out to support this project and we're very happy for the volunteer support and the support of everyone who came out.”
