Dance Contest Finalists Compete for Top Honors Sunday at Citrus Festival

Palm Harbor celebrities took to the dance floor Thursday evening during the preliminary round of the Dancing with the Palm Harbor Stars competition. Five dance teams performed in front of an enthusiastic audience which filled Harbor Hall. The audience cheered the dancers on with plenty of hooting and hollering (see the video). The dance teams included- 

• Debbie Thomas, Director of Old Palm Harbor Main Street and Arthur Murray Dance Director David Schmidt 
• Jordan Myers, Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce Chairman-Elect and Arthur Murray Dance Instructor Candice Cunningham 
• Belinda Forstner, Pinellas County Tax Collector Agency Assistant Administrator and Arthur Murray Dance Instructor Rio Rivera-Young
• Connie Stewart, Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board and Arthur Murray Dance Director David Schmidt 
• Palm Harbor Firefighter-Paramedic Josh Lovetere and Arthur Murray Dance Instructor McKelette Dowers

The Palm Harbor stars got creative when it came to their costumes. Debbie Thomas sewed her colorful blue costume herself. Palm Harbor Fire Rescue firefighter-paramedic Josh Lovetere's mother-in-law attached sequins onto his Elvis-firefighter costume (see the video).

"I'm definitely gonna win it," said Lovetere before Thursday night's competition. A Palm Harbor firefighter has won the competition the last three years out of four. Lovetere is hoping to continue the streak. "In the long run, it goes to a great cause," he said about the money that dance team supporters donate, which buys them "votes" for their team of choice.

At the end of the evening Thursday, the three dance teams with the highest scores were announced. The scores were not revealed, but the teams will go on to compete in the final competition on the Citrus Festival Main stage Sunday at 2 p.m.

The finalists are-

• Belinda Forstner and Rio Rivera-Young
• Connie Stewart and David Schmidt 
• Josh Lovetere and McKelette Dowers

Special guests Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo, who are choreographers for the hit show So You Think You Can Dance, entertained with a dramatic Argentine Tango.

The Palm Harbor Lee Roy Selmon's provided a buffet dinner.

Headed to Citrus Festival? Here's the schedule for Sunday, April 7

• 11 a.m-6 p.m: Carnival
• 2 p.m: Dancing with the Stars Finals (Main Stage on Florida Avenue)

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