Karen Yun, Herb Runstedler win second annual Dancing With the Stars in Kincardine

Celebrity dancer Karen Yun of Kincardine and seasoned dancer Herb Runstedler who lives near Brussels, took the championship trophy in the second annual Dancing With the Stars, held Friday night at the Kincardine Pavilion.

The fund-raising event is in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kincardine and District. And it was a long time coming, thanks to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The inaugural Dancing With the Stars was held in April, 2019, and the second annual contest was slated for the spring of 2020. However, the pandemic caused it to be postponed to August, then November, then April of 2021, and finally, Saturday, Oct. 29, was a go, with about 30 people in the audience and almost 200 watching on a live-stream of the event.

MC John Low welcomed everyone in-person and on-line, and kept the show moving along, in his humorous and engaging way.

Judging the event, were Carole Weber, technical judge, of Benmiller; Courtney Dunlop, style judge, of Bruce County; and celebrity judge Mike Rencheck, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power.

Yolanda Ritsema, executive director of Kincardine Big Brothers and Big Sisters, was thrilled to finally stage this event after so many delays.

She said each dancer has dedicated many hours to bring this magical night to the audience, and the planning team has overcome many challenges to bring this vision to reality.

“There are two other components that have made tonight a reality,” she said. "The financial and practical support of our wonderful sponsors; and our audience members who have embraced the virtual presentation of our 2021 Dancing With the Stars gala.

“All of your support is critical to our organization. Thanks to you and your generosity, we are able to provide life-changing mentoring programs to our community’s young people in southern Bruce County, through our traditional mentoring, group mentoring, and school mentoring programs.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”

The five couples performed their first numbers, followed by a short intermission, then their second dance numbers. The judges then determined the top three couples, who then performed once more, before the winners were announced.

Taking to the floor first, were celebrity Barry Neilson of Kincardine and seasoned dancer Sally Ballard of Port Elgin. They performed the cha-cha, and a tango.



Sally Ballard and Barry Neilson perform the cha-cha

Celebrity dancer Jaki Mayer-Duggan of Kincardine and seasoned dancer Benjamin Hearn of Goderich performed a waltz and the jive.



Jaki Mayer-Duggan and Benjamin Hearn perform the jive

Yun and Runstedler performed the cha-cha and the salsa.



Karen Yun and Herb Runstedler perform the cha-cha

Celebrity Alana Rozon of Kincardine and seasoned dancer Murray Needham, also of Kincardine, performed the jive and the twist.

And celebrities John Binnendyk of Kincardine and Karen Malisani of Paisley performed the rumba and the foxtrot.

For the final dance-off, the judges selected Yun and Runstedler, Rozon and Needham, and Binnendyk and Malisani.

Taking first place, were Yun and Runstedler, followed by Binnendyk and Malisani, and Rozon and Needham.

The evening also included charcuterie, and dessert, served by Bar Down; and entertainment by The Lifters Jazz Band.