The 2025 South High Marathon Dance will be held on February 28th and March 1st at the South Glens Falls Senior High School. The Marathon Dance is a student-run function that aims to raise money for individuals, families, and organizations in need of financial assistance. With over 600 students attending this two-day event, the goal of the students is to try to break last year’s record of raising over $746,887.25! The event has progressed from a small dance in the high school gym to an event that brings the entire community together. In its 47 years, more than $11.3 million have been raised for 675 beneficiaries from within South Glens Falls as well as many surrounding communities. This year the student committee has chosen 13 individuals and 18 organizations to be recipients of the funds raised from the dance.

As a result of the large number of dancers, this is not an open dance. For their protection and safety only registered high school dancers, middle school basket raffle fundraisers, and registered 5th graders will be allowed to take part in the dancing activities. No others will be allowed on the dance floor. All students below grade nine will need to be accompanied by an adult any time they are at the dance. Please do not drop your children off at the dance without an adult being present with them. This includes the 5th grade dance time and when the middle school fundraisers are dancing.

• Fifth grade students who were registered should arrive at 7:45 a.m. for their 8-9 dance slot. 

• Middle School dancers (those who have successfully fundraised $150) should arrive at 9:45 a.m. for their 10-11 a.m. dance slot. 

• Official dance shirts will be given to students attending the dance at school today (Friday, Feb. 28).

The dance is open to the public from 7 until 10:30 p.m. on Friday, February 28th. Opening ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. On Saturday, March 1st the rest of the public may enter at 11 a.m. The silent auction begins Friday evening and ends early Saturday evening, followed by the live auction which begins at 6 p.m. The final ceremonies will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Please be reminded that the High School back lot and the District Office parking lot are closed to the public. Shuttles are available from Tanglewood Elementary, First Baptist Church, United Methodist Church, Mr. Bill’s side lot, and Kingpin’s Alley. We hope that you will be able to partake in this wonderful event. It is a truly moving experience to witness a community that comes together to help those in need.  Please be sure to visit our website at www.shmd.org, and follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for additional information about the dance, and recipients, and to view the Marathon Dance live the weekend of the event. 

We hope to see you at the dance!

The 48th annual South High Marathon Dance will be held on Feb. 28 and March 1, 2025 at the South Glens Falls Senior High School located on Merritt Road.  Due to the size of the event, the following parking and traffic flow procedures have been implemented.

• To facilitate the flow of shuttle buses and traffic, we ask there to be NO PARKING on either side of Merritt Road or Elmwood Drive starting at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28 until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, March 1.

• Parking at the Senior High School BACK PARKING LOT will be limited to current Marathon Dance recipients, handicap, and those with special permits. FRONT LOT will be open on a first come first serve basis.

  • Several 15-minute parking spots will be in place in the back lot for pick-up or drop-off. 

  • Dancer drop-off Friday night will be via the backlot; enter off Merritt Road only, same as previous years. 

• All people visiting the Senior High School must enter through a security checkpoint at the back of the building.

• A bus shuttle will run from designated parking areas to the Senior High School, cycling continuously, during the following times:

  • Friday, February 28, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.

  • Saturday, March 1, 8 a.m. – Dance Finale.

• Parking for volunteers and spectators, with bus shuttles, will be available at Tanglewood Elementary School, Mr. Bill’s Side Lot, Kingpin’s Alley, and the United Methodist Church.

  • When parking at a satellite parking area, please be sure to get out of your vehicle and wave to the
    bus when it cycles through the parking lot.
    During times when the bus shuttle is not running (11 p.m. Friday, through 8 a.m. Saturday), the parking lot at the Senior High School will be open.

This parking plan is being implemented due to the limited parking at the high school and the need to keep roads leading to the school open for traffic flow. 

During the event, the Marathon Dance can be viewed live, online, at www.shmd.org.  Please visit www.shmd.org, Facebook www.facebook.com/shmdInc, or Twitter @shmdnow for additional information.  Specific questions regarding parking at the High School, designated parking areas, and bus shuttles should be directed to the Marathon Dance Parking Supervisors at parking@shmd.org. 

Friday, February 28 through Saturday, March 1, 2025 marks the 48th annual South High Marathon Dance (SHMD). The Dance brings together thousands of people at the South Glens Falls Senior High School united in the common goal of helping others in a time of need. We thank everyone for their anticipated cooperation to help ensure a safe event.

All Persons and Belongings Subject to Search

Implemented in 2018, any persons entering the Senior High School, to include students, staff, visitors, and deliveries should expect to be screened, including belongings (such as bags, containers, boxes, etc.). Guns, knives and other weapons, alcohol, recreational drugs, fireworks, sparkling devices, and potentially hazardous material are not permitted on school property. The use of tobacco, nicotine, vape devices, and similar products is not permitted on school property. The Marathon Dance strongly discourages general spectators from bringing bags to this event.

Safety and Security Measures in Place

The Marathon Dance will continue a variety of safety measures which have been implemented through the years. Law enforcement canines will be present prior to, and periodically during the event. Armed law enforcement, both uniformed and undercover, will be present throughout the entirety of the weekend. A Fire Safety Team will be present to enforce gym capacity, keep watch for fire and other hazards, and ensure egress routes are maintained. Satellite parking areas with shuttle bus service are in place to alleviate congestion at the Senior High School and impact on nearby roads. A dedicated Security Detail and Medical Staff was established in the 1980’s and continues to maintain a safe and secure environment.

Remain Alert and Report any Concerns

We have a shared responsibility to keep our community safe. Be aware of your surroundings; whether at the event or in a parking area, take note of any suspicious objects, persons, or potential hazards and report it promptly to Marathon Dance staff. If you become aware of someone who may have malicious intent, take what you hear or see seriously. Familiarize yourself with bus shuttle routes, building exits, public viewing areas, and the Dance schedule. Finally, please be polite to the safety and security staff. While certain arrangements may be inconvenient, they are in place for the safety of all involved.

Numerous Agencies and Organizations Contribute

SHMD would like to thank you, as well as the following, for supporting the safety mission: New York State Police, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, South Glens Falls Police Department, South Glens Falls Fire Company, Moreau Emergency Squad, Moreau Town Highway Department, South Glens Falls School Transportation Department, Saratoga Springs School Transportation Department, Adirondack Two-Way Radio, Wells Communication, Brinks, D.A. Collins Construction Company, Casella Waste, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)/Live Nation, and our satellite parking areas.