Area residents are ready to put on their dancing shoes, listen to some “big band” tunes and possibly win the “loving cup” Saturday at the Depot Museum and Visitors Center in West Point.

The depot is hosting the first of what it hopes will be several events highlighting history of the area with the big-band music and dancing. Saturday’s event will celebrate and remember the opening on the General Tyler Hotel Ballroom in West Point in 1937. Dancing begins at 7 p.m., and tickets are $15.

Visitors Center director Malinda Powers says a limited number of tickets will be available at the door, but encourages those who want to come to make reservations fast.

“(The General Tyler Hotel) was the center of social life in town,” Powers said.

The building was razed in 1964.

Those who attend were encouraged to dress in 1930s attire, and the winners will win an engraved silver loving cup, just like those who won dance contests won in the 1930s.

Music will be provided by Vincent Smith and Teresa Rollins of radio station WRLA. The music will be interspersed by re-creations of radio advertisements from the times.

In 1937, L.J. Duncan opened the hotel with music led by band leader Francis Craig. The event was broadcast on WSB radio in Atlanta.

Part of Saturday night’s festivities will be a tribute to Duncan, who began the Valley area’s first radio station inside the hotel, WDAK, which eventually was moved to Columbus.

Powers said the next event at the depot probably will be in celebration of the West Point Teen Club, active in the area in the 1960s.

— For tickets to the dance, call (706) 643-9404.