HAMLET — Nine dancing duos will compete at Cole Auditorium Saturday evening for Richmond County Hospice’s largest annual fundraiser: Taste of the Sandhills Showcasing Dancing With the Stars.
However, if you don’t already have tickets, you’re out of luck. They were sold out by Sept. 9.
“Our dancers have really done a lot of promotion and fundraising this year,” Julia Woody, public relations director, said Wednesday, just moments after one dancer dropped off money.
The theme for this year is “A Regal Affair,” with the costumes and set — designed by Nic Wilkes — reflecting mid-1800s London high society, much like the popular show “Bridgerton.”
As in years past, Dancing with the Stars — sponsored by Mabry’s Drug and Home Care and other local businesses — is a bit of a family affair, with one team of sisters, a husband and wife couple, two mother-daughter teams and one father-daughter duo.
This year’s teams are:
- Brandy Wheeler and Jessica Wheeler White – sisters
- Heather and Chloe Taylor – mother-daughter
- J.C. and Karen Everett – husband-wife
- Justin McDonald and Brandi Miller
- Katherine and Bayden Bendell – mother-daughter
- Dr. Bill Cleveland and Nicole Blake
- Wayne and Morgan Quinn – father – daughter
- Tyree Brewington and Rahmeishia McKiver
- Meredith Standridge and Allie Coen
Last year’s Judges Choice winners were the father-daughter team of Gene and Meghan McKenzie, who will return to perform before the competition gets underway, along with the other two winning dance duos.
Click here to see photos of the teams from 2023.
Travis Breen, Eric McCotter and Kim Menna are also returning to judge the event.
In addition to Judges’ Choice, there are two other categories to win:
- People’s Choice – based on the number of votes from the audience
- Hospice Choice – based on how much money each team raised prior to the event
During the intermissions, there will also be performances by Dance Sensations and Bold Moves Dance Company, as well as a group from Hospice Haven.
Click here to see additional photos from 2023.
Before the dancing starts, ticket holders will get a chance to sample selections from a variety of local eateries in Taste of the Sandhills.
Participating restaurants this year are: Axe to Grind; Britton’s BBQ & Grill; Burger Bros; Gentleman’s Bar; Godfather’s; Hidden Treasures; Los Mariachis Mexican Bar & Grill; Taco Loko; The Grille; The Taco Factory; La Familia; Ansonia Soup Company; Number 1 Diner;
Southern BBQ & Catering; Hitchcock Pub & Grill; Mama Blair’s Food Truck; Martiniks Inc. Bakery; Silly Dee’s Cakes; Sweet Tooth Bakery; Captain Larry’s; Riverside Canning; and Kickback Jack’s.
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q will be providing tea for the event.
The Tasty Award will be given out at the start of Act 2.
Last year’s event brought in $87,000, exceeding previous totals of $80,000 in 2022 and $60,000 in 2019. The first year of the event brought in $23,000. The fundraiser was on hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.
Woody said there is no specific fundraising goal for this year, but added Hospice would like to at least match last year’s total.
Other upcoming Hospice events include: Candy Cavalcade, Oct. 24; Salute to Veterans, Nov. 1; and the Forever Tree lighting, Nov. 24;
