A snow day canceled the Turkey Trot square-dance competition late last month, but Canyon Park Junior High students won’t be denied their chance to do-si-do.

The event has been rescheduled for 12:35 p.m. Dec. 17 in the school gym at 23723 23rd Ave. S.E., Bothell. The public is invited and asked to bring canned food, with the collection benefiting families in King and Snohomish counties through Hopelink and the Maltby Food Bank, according to Paul Jensen, Canyon Park Junior High’s health-and-fitness department head.

Canyon Park includes a square-dancing unit as part of its health-and-fitness curriculum. For about 2 1/2 weeks, students in grades seven through nine learn and practice square dancing during class.

“This activity is not only good exercise, but encourages and teaches social skills, coordination, teamwork and listening skills,” Jensen said.

Professional square-dance caller, Dave Harry, leads the class and he is supported by the Canyon Park teaching staff. The 19-year program includes 710 of the school’s total 792 students.

During the competition, an average of 40 squares, or 320 students, will participate with much of the remaining student body watching from the bleachers. Donations from local businesses will be distributed as prizes at the end of the competition.