Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
With the return of the styles of long hair, bell bottoms, and tie dye colors, many people are taken back to their high school days of yesteryear.
Recently, a couple of “older” ladies, Paula Devinney and Faye Powers, were chatting about the good ole’ days and memories of what was called “Sock Hops” came up.
This is where high schools had dances, but everyone had to take their shoes off to dance on the gym floor so as not to scar it up, (especially when the flat-footing songs were played).
Devinney shared that further conversation led to the idea of restarting one at Craig County High School for an After Prom fundraiser.
It didn’t take long until the idea merged into reality plans for an upcoming Sock Hop, “Rocket to the rhythm at CCHS Community Sock Hop,” that will be at the Craig County High School gym.
It will be on April 6, from 6 until 10 p.m. Admission is only $7 per adult and students/kids $3 (6 and under are free).
“Everyone is invited, including the whole community and even folks from neighboring counties!” Jones said.
The proceeds will benefit the After Prom Jr Class and the FFA.
Old fashioned diner food will be available a la carte such as burgers, hot dogs, French fries, onion rings and floats, plus much more.
Courtesy image
There will be contests which include: Best dressed 50s – 60s, dance, name that tune and more, to create a fun evening.
“We’d like to see this become an annual tradition, similar to the dances we used to have at Camp Mitchell (only cleaner & more wholesome),” Karen Jones shared.
Local band, “40 Years After,” will be playing. The band members are Tommy Swam, Joe Bass and Steve Devinney.
“The band started in 2003 with Joe and myself and Tommy joined around 2011,” Devinney shared. “We got our name because all of the songs we play are hits from 40 or more years ago.”
“Joe had a friend that owned a couple assisted living facilities and asked if we would be interested in playing music for the residents,” Devinney continued. “We decided to play old time Rock & Roll since there were several bands doing gospel, country, and bluegrass.”
They donate their time to assisted living and nonprofit organizations.
Devinney added that they play two to three times a week in various assisted living facilities in Roanoke Valley. They also play for private parties and class reunions.
The only restrictions at the sock hop will be that there can be no alcohol or tobacco products or vaping on school grounds and no shoes can be allowed on the new gym floor.
Everyone will enter through the auxiliary gym and take their shoes off before entering the big gym.
People can contact Karen Jones (ksjones@craig.k12.va.us) , Jessi Huffman (jhuffman@craig.k12.va.us) or Emily Nolen (enolen@craig.k12.va.us) to volunteer or donate.
