First Coast Dancing with the Stars raises $127K

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Beaches Fine Arts Series’ (BFAS) major fundraiser, First Coast Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), was held at WJCT on Saturday, Sept. 21, to a sold-out audience. More than $127,000 was raised — a record amount for the history of the event, which began in 2013.

Ten stars — local celebrities — paired with professional ballroom dancers at studios in Northeast Florida to learn a routine and to raise funds to support the free concerts and award-winning educational outreach programs of BFAS, currently entering its 52nd season. The winners were determined by funds raised, combined with judges’ scores for the dances.

Champion of the event was Susan Snodgrass of Atlantic Beach, who performed with pro Allan Alday in a fabulous contemporary jazz and cha-cha medley, for which they received perfect 10 scores from the three judges. Snodgrass also raised the most funds that have ever been raised by a single star to support BFAS.

First runner up of the event was Dawn Archer of Jacksonville, who performed with pro Kirill Netsvetaev in an energetic and unique international cha-cha. Archer has been a long-time supporter of DWTS and BFAS.

Second runner up of the event was Warren Chandler of Ponte Vedra Beach, who performed a James Bond-themed tango with pro partner Megan Wallace Widrich. Chandler is also a long-time supporter of BFAS.