HOUGHTON — Houghton Elementary School kids got the rock-star treatment Thursday during the annual Rock Your School event.

As kids arrived Thursday morning, they were welcomed by live music by local musicians. Inside, a red carpet led them to an arch of balloons.

The PTO began organizing the event three years ago as a way to recognize students. In keeping with the concert theme, they all got VIP passes.

“These are our very important people,” said PTO member Angel Miller.

PTO members and volunteers came in Wednesday night to help set up the music themed decorations, including vinyl 45s hanging from the ceiling in the hallways.

Students made their own “You’re a Rock Star!” drawings posted near the entrance, each coloring the star shape in their own inspired patterns.

This year’s event also coincided with Blue Ribbon Week, which the school held to commemorate its recent ranking as a Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Department of Education.

There was a Rockin’ Ribbon Rally included a presentation from Michigan Technological University students about a different form of rock — geodes.

Patrick Aldrich, the school’s assistant principal, said it was a great event for the students.

“It’s something that we can certainly get into our year that is different and fun for the kids,” he said. “It certainly breaks up that typical school day and that school week. And then through the PTO and others, we were able to weave in the Blue Ribbon that we had. So it’s been a good thing.”

And during recess, they danced and formed lines to a DJ set by PTO member Lynn Pepin, who mixed uptempo kids’ tunes like “Pancake Robot” and “All I Eat Is Pizza” with standards like “We Will Rock You.”

“It’s been going fantastic,” Miller said. “They’re so excited every year. It’s something they look forward to.”

Teachers and many students were decked out in rock-star attire, with some also incorporating blue in honor of the Blue Ribbon status.

Dancing up front during recess was fourth-grader Preston Schlief, who had a blue mohawk, shades, a microphone and an inflatable boombox.

“I love all the music, and the decorations, all the stuff that we get to do,” he said.