Lenawee County Fair busts a move at ’80s dance party Thursday at grandstand

Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram
·2 min read
From left, Pason Fox, Audrey Wegner and Amy Francoeur were decked out in 1980s fashion during Thursday's “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party” at the grandstand. Fox won first place in the best dressed female category. Francoeur won second place.
From left, Pason Fox, Audrey Wegner and Amy Francoeur were decked out in 1980s fashion during Thursday's “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party” at the grandstand. Fox won first place in the best dressed female category. Francoeur won second place.

ADRIAN — A dance party came to the Lenawee County Fair Thursday night.

Making its event debut at the fair, “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party” took over the grandstand area Thursday night with the music of Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna and several other 1980s musical artists and bands sounding through the speakers.

Davonna Hemsoth, left, dances with Dewayne Hemsoth Thursday evening during the Lenawee County Fair's debut of the “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party” at the grandstand.
Davonna Hemsoth, left, dances with Dewayne Hemsoth Thursday evening during the Lenawee County Fair's debut of the “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party” at the grandstand.

From 7:30 p.m. to its closure at just about 10 p.m., the concept of the dance party was simple: dress head to toe in 1980s fashion, dance the night away and have fun.

Toledo-area DJ Jason Kelley, owner of Book That DJ, provided a multiple-hour setlist of ’80s tunes that rocked the grandstand.

Toledo-area DJ Jason Kelley, owner of Book That DJ, provided a multiple-hour setlist of 1980s tunes that rocked the grandstand at the Lenawee County Fair Thursday night during the debut of the “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party.”
Toledo-area DJ Jason Kelley, owner of Book That DJ, provided a multiple-hour setlist of 1980s tunes that rocked the grandstand at the Lenawee County Fair Thursday night during the debut of the “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party.”

Guests were encouraged to dance on the stage, on the tractor pull track or in the grandstand seating area.

“You have to love the ’80s, especially the big hair,” Lenawee County Fair Board member Audrey Wegner said.

Wegner and her husband, Jason, were two of the integral members of the fair board who suggested bringing the dance party to the fair this year. They both frequent ’80s night events at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Ohio, and being on the fair’s events committee it seemed like a winning program for Thursday night’s grandstand slot, Wegner said.

Austin Espinoza, center, busts a move alongside Tommie Vanbelt, left, and Pam Dasler while at the Lenawee County Fair's Thursday night grandstand event, “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party.”
Austin Espinoza, center, busts a move alongside Tommie Vanbelt, left, and Pam Dasler while at the Lenawee County Fair's Thursday night grandstand event, “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party.”

“It seems like those who are here are enjoying themselves and having a good time,” she said.

People who attended the dance party and dressed for the occasion were eligible to win cash prizes for best costumes. Winners were selected for the first- and second-place best dressed group, first- and second-place best dressed female and first-place best dressed male. Because there were no men dressed for the ’80s dance party theme when the judging was being conducted, the $200 first-place prize was given to Jason Wegner. He donated his winnings back to the fair.

The winning group consisted of Emma Schwartz of Blissfield and Teresa Martinez of Adrian. Placing second for the best dressed group and winning $100 in cash were Paula Reid-Mitchell and Terri Butler.

Teresa Martinez, left, and Emma Schwartz won best dressed group during Thursday's grandstand event at the Lenawee County Fair, “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party.” Prizes were awarded to the best dressed group, the best dressed female and the best dressed male.
Teresa Martinez, left, and Emma Schwartz won best dressed group during Thursday's grandstand event at the Lenawee County Fair, “Bodacious Moves and Big Hair at the Fair: Lenawee’s Premier ’80s Dance Party.” Prizes were awarded to the best dressed group, the best dressed female and the best dressed male.

The first-place female costume went to Pason Fox, niece of the Wegners, and second-place for best female costume was awarded to Amy Francoeur.

When asked to name a favorite singer or band from the 1980s, neither Schwartz or Martinez were able to narrow down either of their lists.

“It was the ’80s,” Schwartz said. “All of the music was so good. We loved and still love the ’80s, and that’s why we are here tonight.”

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County Fair debuts 80s dance party at Thursday's grandstand