Approximately 200 dancers met at Lakeland College in Vermilion for the 29th Annual Vermilion Dance Festival on April 26 – 27, hosted by the Vermilion Dance Association (VDA). The theme of this year’s festival was, ‘Dancing is like dreaming with your feet.’ VDA member Kamdyn Maron said, “I love to dance because I get a lot of exercise and it’s a lot of fun; Miss Taylor is awesome!” Dance schools participating travelled from Vermilion, Mannville, Marwayne, Vegreville, Oyen, and Camrose. “It’s fun to have a festival in our hometown. We are thrilled to the moon and back,” said Miss Taylor. Janelle Mailhot went on to say that the festival is VDA’s annual fundraiser which allows them to keep putting on the event and keep registration low for families. She likes putting on the event so that people from all over get the opportunity to explore and support the community. “We would like to thank our sponsors. All of the participants love having the opportunity to perform. Many of the studios have been coming for years and the feedback has been great,” said Mailhot. Adjudicator, Kelsey Chance Nilsson, travelled from Vancouver and offered video adjudication to help the students. During jazz solos she said, “There’s a level of attack that needs to happen; nice work. I could feel your energy reaching beyond your fingertips!” The VDA Year End Recital will be on May 7 at 7 p.m. Admission will be $5 or $20 per family, with five and under being free.
