WCTE PBS reported its inaugural Let’s Dance fundraiser was a resounding success, raising nearly $70,000 to support the station.
The high-energy event brought together twelve teams from nine counties and packed the Putnam County Convention Center with more than 350 attendees for an unforgettable evening of community celebration.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” said Avery Hutchins, president and CEO of WCTE PBS. “We were looking for something that would bring the whole Upper Cumberland together, something each county could rally behind and support, and I think we found it.”
The competition was fierce, the performances inspiring, and the impact significant.
The Impact Award, recognizing outstanding fundraising efforts that began in the fall of 2025, honored the teams who went above and beyond to rally support and raise funds in advance of the competition. Each of the 12 teams competed to see who could generate the greatest impact through their outreach and community engagement.
Collectively, the 12 teams raised more than $28,000, demonstrating extraordinary commitment to supporting WCTE PBS and its mission. The Impact Champion, awarded to the team with the highest overall fundraising total, is listed below.
Impact Champion Winner. Tracey Franklin and Kosta Yepifantsev, Putnam County
Impact Award Runner-Up. Pam and Denny Cosgrove, Putnam County
On the night of the event, teams rallied more than $12,200 in on-line voting, crowning the inaugural People’s Choice Award, demonstrating extraordinary community support.
People’s Choice Winner. Rhonda and Keith Bilbrey, Overton County
People’s Choice Runner-up. Tracey Franklin and Kosta Yepifantsev, Putnam County
Two of the evening’s most anticipated categories, Best Costume and Overall Dance, were judged by an esteemed panel including Bryce McDonald, Caitlin Schaub, and Demetria Kalodimos. The winners for these judged categories were:
Best Costume Winner. Lucas Patterson and Mira Woodlee, Warren County
Best Costume Runner-up. Pam and Denny Cosgrove, Putnam County
Let’s Dance 2026 Champion. Michael Lane and Andrea Pape, Fentress County
Let’s Dance 2026 Runner-up. Pam and Denny Cosgrove, Putnam County
Their performances captivated both the judges and audience, reflecting the creativity, dedication, and spirit that defined the inaugural Let’s Dance event.
The event marked a first-of-its-kind regional partnership effort. Hair and makeup were provided by Aspire Barber & Beauty Academy, with additional partnerships from Spotlight Costumes, Upper Cumberland Lifestyle Magazine, and the Putnam County Convention Center, among many others.
Let’s Dance was presented as both a live, in-person experience and a televised and streamed broadcast. Hutchins said it achieved the highest streaming viewership of any live event in WCTE’s history, extending its reach well beyond the ballroom.
She expressed a special thanks to the team sponsors “who believed in the vision and helped make the event possible.” They include Upper Cumberland Family Dentistry, Cumberland Insurance Agency, Wilson Bank & Trust, First National Bank, Sawbriar Brewing & Highland Manor Winery, Miss Sallie’s Market, Putnam County Democratic Party, Middle Tennessee Eye Associates, Ben Lomand, and Beltone.
“Following its overwhelming success, Let’s Dance will now become an annual signature event for WCTE PBS,” Hutchins said. “The WCTE website will open contestant registration for the 2027 Let’s Dance competition in mid-May, inviting individuals from across the Upper Cumberland to step forward, represent their counties, and be part of this growing community tradition.”