Country music a hit at Boot Life Block Party
Grammy-winning Country Star Mac Powell and NBC “The Voice’s” Swon Brothers performed at the former Mansfield Raceway this July 4th weekend for The Boot Life Block Party, an event that fell far short in its bid to set the world’s line dancing record.
The host and co-owner of the Boot Life downtown store, Holly Troupe said it was “amazing” that they were able to get such a big star to come to Mansfield.
“If the belief of our community is lifted, we can accomplish great things,” she said.
It was the first annual Boot Life Block Party.
In planning the event, Troupe had said organizers hoped to break the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the largest simultaneous line dance, which was set in China with 18,441 participants doing "The Electric Slide."
The block party didn't come close to setting a line dancing world record, but the more than 300 concert attendees were treated to an evening of world class county music.
Dressed in patriotic colors and cowboy boots, attendees were seated on folding chairs where they were treated to an intimate performance, sitting just a few feet away from the country stars.
Area-residents Brent and Kelly Lesseuer said they were excited to see Mac Powell, during before he got on stage.
When asked if they would partake in the electric slide, Brent joked, “It might not be pretty, and we might not break the record, but we’ll try.”
Mansfield did not break the world’s record, but the event did draw a local crowd of more than 300 and raised money for charity. Part of the proceeds are going to the Folds of Honor and the Richland County Foundation.
Caleb Danison, said he was relieved that the weather was good, while it did get a little windy later on. He learned of the event from his church, Westside Baptist, in Ontario.
Another attendee, Treasure Brown, said she was enjoying the food and conversations. She had just sampled the tacos.
“It’s been nice to be able to gather after so long,” she said, commenting on how the pandemic had canceled many similar events just last year.
Troupe said she hopes the block party will become an annual event. She said staying connected to the community is a part of the mission for her and her husband, Chris, at The Boot Life. The shop at 36 W. Fourth St. in downtown Mansfield has been around for eight years.
Other local business, including Crossroads Church, also helped to sponsor this event.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Block party a hit but falls short on line dancing world record
