VALENTINE'S DAY
KYLE — Kyle’s Parks and Recreation Department is here to spread love in honor of Valentine’s Day.
The department will hold its second annual Valentine’s Day Dance for People with Disabilities on Feb. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gemstone Palace, located at 1101 Bunton Creek Road in Kyle.
“We have a passion to create inclusive programs and we hadn’t had any within Parks and Recreation,” recreation manager Aimee Garcia explained.
Garcia said that local event venue Gemstone Palace has been “kind enough” to donate its space for this dance as well as the department’s other upcoming dance series for people with disabilities, including its second annual Halloween dance and two new ones: a back to school bash and a holiday dance.
The previous Valentine’s Day dance was held at the Krug Activity Center in downtown Kyle. However the venue offered far less space and only around 50 people — “75 was pushing it,” Garcia said — could safely attend.
Now, with more space, Garcia said she and the department are excited to have the event grow.
“This dance gives an opportunity for this community specifically to come together,” Garcia said. “They have an area to feel comfortable, to be around other people in this type of community. I’m sure they have a lot of other school dances, but we want to be sure that they feel included and special.”
The department is partnering with different local organizations and community members in order to put on the event, including Bailey Christian Photography, which will take and donate one 4x6 image per person and Radical Church through its Night to Shine event.
Attendees can expect to enjoy free food and beverages, receive corsages, flowers and goodie bags, win raffle prizes and dance the night away to local DJ 2DQ. Sensory ear plugs will also be provided to those who are sensitive to sound.
The dance is free and attendees of all ages and disabilities are welcome. Those who require assistance must be accompanied by a parent, caregiver or other individual who can provide assistance and they will count toward the total capacity number.
Registration will be capped at 300 people and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 8 or until all spots are filled. Go to www.teamsideline.com/sites/ kyle/home to register.
