Local residents had a chance to sample the hospitality of Ardmore on Saturday night as the hamlet held its third dance of the summer to raise money to renovate Ardmore Community Hall.
The family event drew adults and children alike, starting in the early evening with a barbecue. The Opry Boyz provided the live entertainment, taking the stage as the sun started to set, singing country classics while the adults two-stepped and the braver children danced in the street.
The organizing committee was thrilled with the turnout, according to committee member Denise Crooks, who said the turnout for similar events has been disappointing and more people came out for Saturday's dance.
She explained support for fundraising within the community was strong, however, getting people outside of the community to attend events has proven difficult.
"The community is good," she said. "It's getting outside people to come. It's a little bit hard because you can't drink and drive, and that's the hurdle we've come across. We actually have shuttle vans and we're trying to cover all our bases so that no one's drinking and driving and they can still have a good time."
The weather seemed to help with the turnout, though she laughed and added the committee had worried it would rain. But the clouds held off.
"It's the best turnout we've had for anything," Gail Hermiston, president of the Ardmore Community Society, added.
When they have raised enough money, the committee intends to move the bathrooms and use that space to expand the kitchen, a renovation that is badly needed, according to Crooks, who could not remember how long it had been since the building had been updated.
The committee intends to continue its fundraising efforts in early August, catering the Mud Bog race, with all proceeds going to the project.
