DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac mothers and sons will have a chance to both put on their dancing shoes and their favorite team jerseys at an upcoming event, sponsored by the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac.

The Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac will host the third annual mother-son dance from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Dowagiac Middle School, 57072 Riverside Dr. The event will feature dancing, games, refreshments and a photo booth. Miss Dowagiac and her court, along with the Dowagiac Union High School football team, will make an appearance at the dance. Tickets are $5 per person in advance of the event, and $10 the day of. Tickets are available at Bakeman Barbers and The Baker’s Rhapsody.

“This is for mothers and sons, grandmas and grandsons, aunts and nephews. Everyone in that group is welcome,” said Rebecca Steenbeke, media chair for the Young Professionals.

The theme for this year is “football and fun.” To fit the theme, the dance will feature football themed games, and the Young Professionals are asking that guests wear their favorite football jerseys.

“Whether it’s your Dowagiac team, your college jersey or for the Bears or an NFL team, we want people to wear their favorite jersey,” Steenbeke said. “We thought that would be really fun.”

Steenbeke said the mother-son dance fits into the mission of the Young Professionals, as the group hosts community events throughout the year, including Fourth of July fireworks and a daddy-daughter dance. Steenbeke added that she believes it is important that the group provides events for families in Dowagiac.

“Before we started doing this, there wasn’t anything really similar in this area,” she said. “It provides the community here with something fun to do in their own backyard. I think it is important for the feel of the community that everyone gets together and has fun together. I think that is why we always have such tremendous community support.”

Steenbeke said she hopes the public turns out for the dance and enjoys themselves.

“It’s an inexpensive, positive thing to do on a Saturday afternoon,” she said of the dance. “I think it will be really fun for everyone. Just put on your jersey and come have fun.”

After the dance, several local businesses will be offering “dance packages” to those with proof of ticket:

• Round Oak Revisited: 99 cent children’s menu item with purchase of adult entrée.

• Woodfire: 10 percent off limited menu items

• Zeke’s: 15 percent off mom and son meal

• Pizza Hut: Free personal pan pizza and soft drink with purchase of adult entrée

• Sister Lakes Brewery: 10 percent off feature menu items

• Bakeman Barbers: $3 off the price of a haircut with same day purchase of tickets