Parents, grandparents, teachers, and children participated in the first Picnic Dinner and Folk Dance at Hopewell Elementary School. Students learned traditional folk dances during music and physical education classes under the direction of Sarah Burris and Robin McChesney. At the event, adults were invited to participate in the dances with the children as each grade level from K-5 presented their dance.

The goal of the event was to encourage quality family time, build community among Hopewell families, and participate in authentic folk dancing.

Dance traditions have been passed down through generations to celebrate important occasions and to provide diversion from everyday life.

The benefits of folk dancing are many. Folk dancing requires rhythmic competence, challenges one to be aware of his or her body in relation to the larger physical space, and requires keeping a sequence of moves in one’s memory. In addition, it fosters a sense of community.