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Dancers kick up their heels
at Shaggin' on Augusta
Published: Sunday, May 20, 2007 - 2:00 am
By E. Richard Walton
STAFF WRITER
erwalton@greenvillenews.com
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The buzz around Lewis Plaza grew loud rather quickly on Saturday as The Greenville News Shaggin' on Augusta got into full swing a while before sunset.
The event draws many familiar faces as well as a host of newer dancers.
For Paul May of Powdersville, it was his first time at Shaggin' on Augusta. He said he decided to attend at the urging of a friend, Smitty Verdin.
"I've heard about it for a long time," May said, smiling. He said he does some shagging, but enjoys the live music a tad more.
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Verdin said he and his wife look forward to the event.
"I've been three or four times," said Verdin, who lives in Simpsonville. "My wife and I are casual shaggers."
There were also young children, some just out of diapers, who could be seen trying out a few steps.
Several men said they like shagging, including one man who said he shags but likes to warm up with what he called the junkyard shuffle.
Rick Sizemore, Main Street Events spokesman, said there were only five sponsors who were at Lewis Plaza this year, but no vendors.
"We try to get the exposure for the businesses at Lewis Plaza," he said.
Sizemore said there were two bands performing for a crowd estimated at 4,000 to 5,000 by the time the night ended at 11 p.m.
The first couple began shaggin' 12 minutes after the band played its first note.
Keyes Carter, who lives across the street from Lewis Plaza, said after she ran an errand she would be dancing herself. She said she's been coming to the event for more than a decade.
I've been coming since it first started," Carter said. "There's nothing like shaggin' and Carolina."
Feeling the beach: Terry Robinson, right, and Dana Jones with the Fabulous Shades perform for the crowd at The Greenville News Shaggin' on Augusta on Saturday.
KEN OSBURN/Staff
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