Full constellation announced in lineup for 2026 Dancing with the Shuswap Stars
Published 12:30 pm Wednesday, July 22, 2026
The stars have aligned for the Shuswap Hospice Society with the recent announcement of the 2026 Dancing with the Shuswap Stars (DWTSS) lineup.
Marking its 10th anniversary, this year’s format still has the traditional couples category, but has also added a group option with more participants than ever turning their jitters into jitterbugging – and other classic dances in the annual fundraiser in support of hospice.
“These volunteer dancers have stepped up and answered the call to support this event,” DWTSS organizers said in a media release. “All of them will be putting themselves out of their comfort zone to learn and perform a dance routine in only a few short weeks!”
Organizers also predict this will be “the most memorable yet,” and will raise the most funds ever to beat even last year’s record-breaking amount of over $100,000, the event’s first six figure total.
As dancers start learning their choreography, the public can provide encouragement by supporting the fundraising efforts of their favourite participants through the purchase of ‘star’ votes at $5 each. Available online at shuswapstars.ca, every star counts as a vote towards the dancers’ total, with advance votes combined with those cast at the gala.
With an all-star lineup, choosing who to cast votes for will be harder than learning the Paso Doble.
The Couples Category will feature:
• Brad and Kelly DeMille – owners/operators of DeMille’s Farm Market;
• Tim and Dawn Alstad – Volunteers with Salmon Arm Rescue Unit, Tim is a former paramedic and Dawn a former auxiliary RCMP constable and founding member of She Shoe Swaps;
• Dylan and Allie Browning – owners of Browning Electric and an online nutrition coaching business;
• Scott and Brittny Syme – owner/operators of Torphichen Farms Ltd. and Syme Structural Engineering Ltd. with Scott a self-described “lost cause” in dancing.
The Group Category will feature:
• Meridian Integrative Health – Christopher Davies, Nicole Davies, Melissa Sorge, Heather Smith, Nicole Hildebrandt, and Kayla Vannieuwenhuizen. “This group intends on bringing joy and energy to the show!”
• Larch Hills Ski Club – Val Heckrodt, Barb Heckrodt, Madeline Wilkie, Étoile Brown, Kate Ritchie, and Kari Wilkinson. “This group is highly enthusiastic to step up for such a worthy cause!”
• Brooke Downs Vennard Law Firm – Aleisha Goodman, Kelly Fournier, Ryan Scorgie, and Violet Denty. “This group promises to deliver all the fun to the dance floor!”
• SAS Grads ‘98 – Leona Demer, Amy Derksen, Emily Bostrom, and Elisabeth Clark. “This group plans to provide humour and laughter to the audience!”
All participants will take the leap at the gala on Nov. 14 at the SASCU Rec Centre where, in addition to their performances, the audience can also enjoy public dancing, gourmet charcuterie boxes, a cash bar, the awards, “and loads of entertainment.”