Paris in Pike to roll out the red carpet Friday

Participants in the sixth annual Paris in Pike will take to the red carpet in memory of the late Kristina McInvale, a student who was in the very first fashion show fundraiser. The show will hit the runway Friday, March 31 at Christ Chapel, starting at 7 p.m. and there is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted. There will also be several silent auctions and raffles. ’This year is a special show as it is in memory of Kristina McInvale, one of our students that we lost last summer,’ said organizer April Cobb. ‘She was in the very first show and participated every year until she graduated from high school. Our ‘theme’ this year is purple. It was her favorite color. We are also working on starting the Kristina McInvale Memorial Scholarship.’The spots available for participants were quickly filled and the students were treated to a shopping trip to pick out their outfits for the evening. Several have been practicing a performance for their time at Paris in Pike. ’The show becomes more and more popular every year so availability went quickly,’ said Cobb. ‘Everyone has been shopping, t-shirts and trophies have been ordered, performers are practicing and the red carpet is ready to be rolled out.’Two of the girls who dreamed up the idea for the Paris in Pike fashion fundraiser as fifth graders – Abbi Hood and Scarlett Mullis – are still very actively involved in planning each year’s event. ’They have been working hard since November to make this show great,’ said Cobb. ‘Money raised from the show stays in Pike County and is used to help special needs children and their families. The fashion show itself is pretty expensive to put on so some of the funds go to cover those costs. We also offer parent training workshops and social events for students. Also, individual and family needs arise sometimes and we like to be able to assist with those.’