Valley Country Club in Warwick was the setting Saturday night for Cedar Hill Elementary School’s annual ‘Sweetheart Dance.’ Students in grades K-6, along with their sweetheart of choice, enjoyed four hours of food, dancing, fun, and friendship on this special evening set aside just for them. Held for more than 30 years, it was formerly a ‘father/daughter’ dance, but with a name change, boys are now welcome to attend, although it is primarily girls and their sweethearts doing so.

Passionate event organizer Kelly Soares and event committee members Gillian Gardner, Danielle Gardiner, and Rebecca Hillier are already planning for next year’s dance and have worked tirelessly to provide memories to cherish for the 240 attendees.

“Myself and the rest of the committee do it for the children,” she said. Keeping costs down has also been a priority for the committee. This year’s price of $24 per person covered an evening at a high-class establishment, dinner, disc jockey, favors, and a photo booth. Many parents, taking breaks from photo ops, echoed positive sentiments about what an amazing evening was in store for them to share with their children. Father and daughter Bob and Kate Carlson, attending their sixth dance, shared some of their favorite parts of the night. Eleven-year-old Kate said she likes “going up and dancing,” and for Bob, it is “dressing up with my baby,” for this special occasion. Reasons for attending were numerous and included things such as enjoyable past events, spending time together, dancing with friends, and having fun.

The entertainment began the moment the sweetheart couples walked in the door.

Upon entering the Hollywood-themed venue, students and their guests were greeted with a red carpet leading to the brightly decorated ballroom. After registering, tables adorned with balloons, Hollywood memorabilia, and jewelry favors awaited the partygoers. A paparazzi photographer was also on hand to add excitement to the festivities.

Prior to dinner, and with music softly playing in the background, adult guests had the opportunity to settle in and mingle while many of their youngsters took to the photo booth. Giggles and chatter surrounded the area while the photographer took pictures of the children wearing funny hats, glasses, boas, and masks. Formal photographs were also taken downstairs, with a backdrop of a limousine and cityscape adding to this year’s theme.

For dinner, children were served chicken fingers, fries, and carrots while the adults dined on chicken francaise, potato, and a vegetable.

Soon after, the floor was open for each individual grade to dance with their sweetheart to a specially selected song. Students in kindergarten danced to “My Girl” by the Temptations, while first graders had “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong chosen for them. Second graders swayed to the music of “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder, and for third graders, it was the song “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars. Fourth graders danced to Eric Clapton’s hit song “Wonderful Tonight” while Natalie and Nat King Cole’s duet “Unforgettable” was picked for fifth grade. The sixth graders, attending for their final year, danced with their sweethearts to “My Wish” by The Rascal Flatts.