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The Troup High Fine Art Auditorium will once again be filled with songs dating back to the 50s.

On Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. the Troup High Alumni Association will host its largest fundraiser of the year by bringing back The Sock Hops for a fifth year.

“All the money that the alumni association raises, we put back into Troup High School,” said Alumni President and THS graduate Shane Frailey.

Each year, the alumni association gives out two $1,000 Earl Thompson Scholarships to two graduating seniors from Troup High, sends one student to the Macy’s Rose Day Parade at the Rose Bowl and have donated to multiple causes that benefit the school, like buying the drill team new flags.

“This concert is for everybody,” Frailey said. “This is a family-friendly event, and we have a lot of churches that buy bulk tickets. It’s just a good clean, family-friendly event for everybody.”

Frailey said it is not uncommon to see families break out and dance at the concert.

“From [bands/singers like] Chubby Checker to The Eagles, and anything between,” Frailey said. “You’ll get two hours of just good, clean, fun entertainment. They’re a remarkable group, and they really get the people into it.”

Each year, the concert raises approximately $5,000 to $7,000.

“This is our biggest fundraiser,” Frailey said. “It is an honor because Earl was one of my best friends in life, and he died of cancer. He was a graduate of Troup and played football. His mother is a member of the Troup High Alumni Association.” 

To be a member of the THAA, the cost is $10 and the only qualification is to be a Tiger graduate, from any year or generation.

“We meet once a month for an hour at night,” Frailey said. “Anybody in the school, whether it be a teacher factor principal, can come sit down with us to tell us their needs. Then as a group, we vote to give that money to what they need.”

Frailey said they hope to sell out the concert this year.

“I think the excitement is all built around helping our students and our teachers of Troup High School,” Frailey said. “We believe in Troup High School and what it stands for. We all do it out of a servant’s heart because nobody gets paid for it. Every penny that we make we invest it back into Troup High School.”

Tickets available at LaGrange Toyota, Weathers Honda and Troup High School for $15 advanced or $20 at the door. For more information, contact Ellis Cadenhead at (706) 884-5546.