Remembering Sam Ford

08/03/2026

A recap of our beautiful day! Thank you f/8 Studios Long Beach for capturing the magic of our community 💜

08/03/2026

What an incredible day! 💜

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for SamFest 2026. Your love, generosity, and support continue to honor Sam’s legacy in the most meaningful way.

Congratulations to our 2026 dance scholarship recipients! We can’t wait to see where your passion for dance takes you. Keep dreaming big and never stop moving.

A special thank you to our Legacy Sponsor, Mary Rowan Ishikawa at Allstate, for your unwavering support year after year. Your generosity helps make this event possible.

Thank you to our amazing entertainers, ghost\monsterr, theThe Shantasticss, and the talented dancers ofThe Studio of Performing Arts🎭🎭, who filled the day with incredible energy and joy.

To our wonderful vendors—both new faces and those who have been with us since the very beginning—thank you for sharing your time, creativity, and passion with our community.

To everyone who donated through our raffle, our vendors, or simply by showing up to support this cause, thank you. Every contribution helps us continue providing dance scholarships for young dancers and support for local cancer patients and their familiesAG Hospital Foundationn

Thank you to the city of Arroyo Grande for the use of the park.

Finally, thank you to our dedicated board members, who volunteer countless hours throughout the year to make SamFest a reality. Your commitment ensures that Sam’s legacy continues to inspire hope, generosity, and the love of dance.

Why walk through life when you can dance? 💜

08/03/2026

Thank you KSBY 🩷

Community members came together on Saturday to honor a young woman's legacy. The Samfest Benefit Concert took place during the afternoon at Heritage Square Park in Arroyo Grande. More information in the comments.

07/31/2026

One of the most meaningful ways we honor Sam’s legacy is by investing in the next generation of young dancers. Each year, our scholarship program helps remove financial barriers so passionate dancers can continue doing what they love. Dance is more than steps and performances—it’s confidence, discipline, creativity, community, and a place where kids discover who they are💜

Our scholarship recipients earn this opportunity by submitting an original essay and a video. Sharing not only their talent, but also their dedication, heart, and love for dance. Their stories remind us that the future of our dance community is bright💜

Through these scholarships, Sam’s spirit continues to inspire joy. Every scholarship awarded is a reminder that one person’s legacy can continue changing lives long after they’re gone💜

Thank you to everyone who supports our fundraiser. Because of you, we’re able to provide hope for cancer patients and their families while ensuring that more young dancers can keep chasing their dreams.

Together, we are honoring Sam’s legacy—one scholarship, one dancer, and one life at a time. ❤️✨

07/29/2026

Great interview with Suz at Krush 92.5! 💜 Huge thanks to Suz and everyone at Krush for supporting us! We can't wait to see you all this Saturday!

Suzanne is a local girl. Hometown, Atascadero. Soultown, San Luis Obispo. She’s a self admitted concert addict. If you don’t see her at the show you’re at, it’s only because she’s at another one and there’s really only one of her.

07/29/2026

Please welcome our surprise special guest performers, Bay Area Dancers!
Bay Area Dancers is an adult dance company encompassing a variety of dance styles for the working professional who still wants to perform! Creating a network of trained dancers who want to have fun while performing together. Featuring SamFest board member Alicia Brewster and our legacy sponsor Audrey Ishikawa 💜 With past performances by board members Randyn Spear and Suzanne Collins!
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Bay Area Dancers just celebrated their 10th anniversary! Goes to show, once a dancer, always a dancer! Why walk through life when you can DANCE!?

07/27/2026

Our annual photo with the BIG check from The Allstate Foundation with our founding board members, our families and friends, and of course SOPA dancers past and present! We love sharing the day with our SOPA dance family 💜

04/20/2026

We are thrilled with the vendors that have applied but we still need more! We are looking for a diverse range of local crafters and makers to join our SamFest family.

https://www.rememberingsamford.com/vendorform