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The South High Marathon Dance (SHMD) is gearing up for its 49th annual fundraising event, scheduled for March 6-7, 2026, at South Glens Falls Senior High School.
Last year's dance raised over $700,000 for 31 beneficiaries, contributing to a 48-year total exceeding $12 million for more than 700 recipients. This year's event will support 21 families facing medical challenges and 15 community organizations, according to the South Glens Falls Central School District.
Due to limited parking space, school officials have implemented traffic and parking restrictions for the weekend. No parking will be allowed on Merritt Road or Elmwood Drive from 3 p.m. on March 6 through 11:59 p.m. on March 7 to facilitate shuttle bus flow, NEWS10 reported.
Shuttle services will run from three locations: Tanglewood Elementary School, Kingpin's Alley, and Maplewood Parkway Methodist Church. The shuttles will operate Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. until the dance finale. When shuttles aren't running, the high school's parking lot will be open to the public.
The high school has designated several 15-minute parking spots in the back lot for drop-offs and pick-ups. All visitors must pass through a security checkpoint at the rear of the building.
Approximately 650 students are expected to participate, with each required to raise a minimum of $175. The event is open to the public from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and from 11 a.m. on Saturday, with special morning hours for parents of elementary and middle school students.
The dance features numerous fundraising activities, including a cut-a-thon, merchandise sales, and both silent and live auctions. Community members can donate through individual students or directly through the SHMD website at shmd.org.
Several community fundraising events leading up to the dance have already been scheduled, including activities at Kingpin's Alley, The Fun Spot, and Common Roots.