“Hear the songs, see the dances, laugh at the jokes,” invited
Karen Buchheit, president of the Kiwanis Club, at the opening of
the Kapers Choice Awards, the 48th Annual Kiwanis Kapers.

And there are plenty of all three offered at this year’s Kapers,
hosted by Emcee Dani Brien as she takes the audience through an
“awards show” with music of all kinds – from Broadway show tunes to
jazz, rock, kids’ songs, a cappella and country music.

Awards are presented in several categories, such as the “Senior
Center’s Choice” award – given to Keith Mayer who performed “What A
Wonderful World” – and the “Kiwanis Boot Camp” award, which was
presented to the Teen Girl Dance Troop.

The Troop, all dressed like Daisy Duke from “The Dukes of
Hazzard” movie, danced to the Jessica Simpson remake of the Nancy
Sinatra song “These Boots Are Made for Walking.”

The Troop also wowed the crowd with an outstanding performance
to “All That Jazz” from the Broadway show “Chicago.”

While the entertainment choices came from around the world, the
Kapers Choice Awards paid homage to one of Bradford’s best known
travelers – “Hollywood” Helen Burfield. She performed “How Much Is
That Doggie In the Window?” to a round of cheers and applause from
the audience.

The next performance had a bit of an Australian flair, as the
Kapers Kids, from kindergarten to second grade, danced to “Do the
Wiggles Groove” from the popular children’s show “The Wiggles,”
which comes from The Land Down Under.

The Kapers Kids, third through fifth grade, danced with Snoopy
to “Suppertime” from “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Talented local performers filled more than two hours with
singing and dancing, eliciting laughs and cheers, applause and
whistles from the nearly full house of the Bradford Area High
School Auditorium.

Featured soloists included Kaitlynn Hallock, “Kutie” Bob
Witchen, Paul Cobb, Chelsey Colosimo, Hannah Garrett, Rhonda Gray,
Shari Pedersen, Fred Pysher, Christa Scheler, Marissa Buchheit,
Ardyth VanScoy and Barbara Pedersen.

Also performing were Just 4 Fun, a barbershop quartet; Josh
Brown with Tom Lekas on guitar; Painted Black; Casey Langianese and
Jason Valentine; Jeff Sherwin and Andrew Wright; the Toe Heel
Twisters; and comedian Matthew Dougherty.

The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. today and at 2 p.m.
Sunday in the auditorium.