Moving in unison are Mabel and Alfie Dallow, of Gore. Photos: Gemma Sinclair
Moving in sync are Aaron Warrington and Nikki Ford, of Dunedin.
The dancers performed about 80 dance numbers, in genres including the waltz, tango, foxtrot, samba, cha cha and jive, in a mix of solos and duets.
A bedazzled Willow Griffiths, of West Gore School, performs her moves.
"Southland has always been a community that values patience, creativity and supporting one another and today is a perfect reflection of that," he said.
Dance partners Michael Broad and Catherine Christie of Dunedin like a butterfly, gracefully finish a routine.
Studio owner Rachel Wilson said she had taken the school pupils under her wing for eight weeks.
White flowy gowns marry dance duo Jessica Coats and Amelia Burke-Pearce, of Gore, as they glide across the dancefloor at the Southland Festival of Dance on Saturday.
"A lot of those children would never get the opportunity to do it," she said.
Gore Mayor Ben Bell with his thinking cap on judging the primary school competition.
"You get some people that come in quite withdrawn and shy, and then [dance] bring[s] them out of their shell."
West Gore School pupils Isabella Hedley (left) and Aliyah Honnery are locked in on the dancefloor.
"What also makes this comp particularly memorable is the way in which the wider community and businesses get in behind it," he said.
