MANKATO —
Even though the participants in Mankato’s version of the famous television dance competition Dancing With the Stars didn’t have the star power and name recognition of Donald Driver, Apolo Ohno and Melissa Gilbert, they had one thing the national contestants do not have: a local cause.
Saturday’s Dancing With the Mankato Stars at the Kato Ballroom raised money for the local chapter of the American Red Cross. Local personalities were paired with dance professionals to learn a dance, but, unlike the television show, it was a one-dance affair. The dance styles varied from jive to quickstep, from ballroom to swing.
Contestants could also earn votes after their dance by persuading the crowd to donate a dollar for each vote to the Red Cross, which was added to the judges score to determine a winner. Exclusively Diamonds owner Sarah Person and MSU dance instructor Paul Finocchiaro were declared the winners after all the votes were counted.
Organizers estimated raising nearly $45,000 during the inaugural event.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Kate Cox and professional dancer Eddie Rodrigues dance a disco number during Dancing With the Mankato Stars Saturday. Pat Christman
-
KEYC personality Stacey Steinhagen is lifted into the air by MSU theater and dance alum Travis Schafer during Saturday's Dancing With the Mankato Stars at the Kato Ballroom. Pat Christman
-
Fans of Dave Thompson and Whitney Waugh cheer during their dance during Saturday's Dancing With the Mankato Stars. Pat Christman
(PHOTO GALLERY) Mankato personalities use star power to help the American Red Cross
- Local News
-
- Walz, Franken bill would ease VA backlog Minor changes would help vets get disability ratings more quickly.
- Assault charges filed in N. Mankato stabbing Mackenzie Ray Tiegs, 18, appeared in Nicollet County District Court Wednesday for felony charges of second- and third-degree assault. He is accused of stabbing Daniel Reyes Jr.
- LiveKato addresses first-time renters The city has launched www.livekato.com, a mobile-friendly student guide to off-campus living.
- North Mankato seeking committee members The comprehensive plan committee will interview consultants who are bidding for the chance to write the city's first major land use and policy plan.
-
Maplewood helicopter crash kills pilot
The helicopter that crashed is owned by Scott's Helicopter Services in Le Sueur.
-
Science camps lead to Summer Sleuthing
Kids figuring out how to have fun
-
Bemidji to host Final Face-Off
Women's ice hockey championship will be in Bemidji
- Fire department offering proper extinguisher training using new device
-
Mankato Clinic breaks ground on Children's Health Center
The Children's Health Center will house the pediatrics department and a Mankato location for Gillette's Children's Specialty Healthcare and Pediatric Therapy Services.
- Priest who served in area accused of sex abuse The allegations of a sexual abuse victim, identified as John Doe 103, are included in a lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Diocese of New Ulm.
- More Local News Headlines
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
