A local event now in its fourth year sounds like it’s a blast for performers and audience members alike. It also sounds like it would take a lot of courage for those in the spotlight.

But then, it’s all for a special cause – Special Olympics North Dakota.

The 4th annual “Dancing for Special Stars,” will be held Tuesday at Anne Nicole Nelson Hall at Minot State University. A reception in the Gallery area begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by the contest at 7 p.m., and a “Meet and Greet the Dancers” after the show. This year’s event coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of Special Olympics and is a fundraiser for Special Olympics North Dakota.

Area “celebrities” and local dance instructors team up to perform and compete, exactly the way it happens on Dancing With the Stars on television. Only the local version just might be more fun to watch as our friends and neighbors step out of their comfort zones and onto the stage for such a worthy cause.

Each couple will perform a dance of their choice and audience members will cast their votes for their favorite couple(s) with their checkbooks. Every dollar donated, including those used to purchase admission tickets, count as a point, and the couple with the most points will be declared the winner. At the end of the evening, the winning couple will be announced.

The event is sponsored in part by Vibeto Orthodontics, Bremer Bank, and First Western Bank & Trust.

Area celebrities include Dan Bower, Ellery Dykeman, Ben Johnson, Kelli Kronschnabel, Tim Mihalick, Alyx Pederson, Zebulon Wallace and Trent Westmeyer. Instructors include Cole Anderson, Erin Borud, Marina Carrillo, Brittany Knickerbocker, Rachel Maxfield, Carlton Mhangami, Laura Mihalick and Liz Vibeto.

They are all to be commended for being such great sports and giving of their time and talents for Special Olympics. Dancers from previous years should also feel free to take another bow at home because they helped start what will hopefully be a long tradition in Minot.

Good luck to all of this year’s Stars.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-279-4201. Admission is $25 per person.