The holidays are all wrapped up but for the elementary students across Squamish, the biggest party of the year is just around the corner.
Four years ago, École Les Aiglons students wanted to throw a dance, so they invited kids from other schools to join them on the dance floor. It sold out at 150 kids and has since grown to include Grade 4 students. Up to 300 kids are expected to boogie at the Feb. 9 Folie en Rouge Dance at Squamish Elementary this year.
"We don't have a lot of opportunities in this community for kids socially," parent volunteer Christine McLeod said. "It's fun going to a big party with 300 people in the community that are the same age as you."
It's become an unofficial tradition for students to gather at a friend's house to get ready together before getting their groove on. Two DJs will supply the tunes, and students are invited to join the flash mob, snack on concessions, win door prizes, get creative in the art corner and, of course, dance.
"I don't know anybody's who has gone to the dance and didn't like it,” said Nicole McLeod, who has gone for three years. This year, the Grade 7 student will join 80 volunteers to help put the party together.
Her younger sister, Alexandra, is looking forward to going to her second dance. She said her favourite part of the festivities was Happimess, where she wrote her name in glow-in-the-dark paint alongside hundreds of other shining signatures.
"Almost every kid signed it," Nicole added.
Forty students were on the waitlist to get in last year, so organizers recommend getting your tickets early.
Tickets can be found at eventbrite at “2019 grade 4-5-6 Folie en Rouge Dance hosted by Ecole les Aiglons.”
Proceeds will support the dance, leadership programs and Francophone cultural events.
