The Sock Hops returned to Troup High School Saturday to perform classic rock favorites in the four-part harmony that has earned them requests to return year after year.

The performance, now in its fourth year, provides the majority of the Troup High School Alumni Association funding for the year. Alumni made up much of the crowd.  

“Knowing the amount of time and energy that [Ellis] Cadenhead and [Shane] Frailey and the alumni association put into THS and the fact that it all trickles down and benefits our students — it benefits our staff — the community support tonight is incredible,” THS Principal Niki Watts said. “It is invaluable to what we are trying to accomplish. We couldn’t do half of what we do without their support.”

The alumni association helps with projects large and small at their alma mater, with projects ranging from purchasing the electronic sign outside the high school to buying the band dinner during a playoff game to purchasing flags for the school’s drill team. The group also sponsors an annual scholarship, which former Alumni Association President Ellis Cadenhead said will soon be accepting applications. However, those projects are reliant on community support at fundraisers, like the one on Saturday.

“We think this is our best turnout that we’ve had in four years, and it just keeps growing,” Alumni Association President Shane Frailey said. “[The Troup High Fine Arts Auditorium] will hold 750 people, and I think we are going to bring them back again. We want to outgrow this [space].”

The alumni said they hope their support and example they set will also encourage current students to dream big.

“With [Cadenhead, Frailey and I] being alumni, we know what this place has meant for us, and we want to instill that and let that trickle down to the folks that are coming through Troup High now,” Watts said.

Georgia Rep. Vance Smith, TCSS Board Member Brandon Brooks and Sheriff James Woodruff briefly addressed the crowd at the event. Regina Hernandez sang the national anthem.