Cape parks will be hosting a Valentine dance for sixth through eighth grade students

Fun, dancing and maybe even a few sparks of young love or new friendships are coming with a Valentine's Day-themed event planned for Feb. 3 at the Shawnee Park Center.

The Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Deptartment will host an inaugural ValenTeen Dance for students in sixth through eighth grades.

The department is inviting all students within that age range from area public and private schools to attend the event.

"Basically everyone will just be hanging out and dancing and having a good time, we hope," said Heather Davis, Shawnee Park Center manager.

Davis said the event is being held to give students from all schools a chance to get together and make new friends as well as unite friends who attend different schools and don't get to see one another often. So far, the city has invited students from schools in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City and other smaller surrounding towns.

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A live DJ will provide music and lighting for the gym in the center. Davis said concessions like hot dogs, candy and sodas will be available for purchase.

Parents can drop off students at the center as long as there is a signed participation waiver turned into center staff. Waivers are available online at www.cityofcape.org/parks.

The event will be chaperoned with between 10 and 12 staff members, Davis said. Staff hopes to see a turnout of around 200 people.

The dance will last from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 and are available at the Arena Building and the Shawnee Park Center. Tickets will go on sale Tuesday.

"What we hope this will show is that we aren't just all about sports at the Shawnee Center," Davis said. "We want kids to see they can have a good time here if they like to do other things."

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