My folks went to square dances when I was a child. They are for four couples, or eight dancers in total, arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, facing the middle of the square. After you learned how to do an “allemande left,” “do si do,” “promenade,” “right and left grand,” and a lot more calls, the caller could mix them up however he wanted. Dancers had to listen and be quick to react.
Mom made her square dance dress from a crinkled cotton, with silver rickrack and a decorative tape with silver and gold threads. I wish I had a photo of her wearing it. But Dad was a WWII pilot, with hundreds of hours in noisy cockpits. They eventually gave it up because he couldn’t hear the tricky calls to be able to keep up with the rest of their square.
A few square dance lessons were part of Ruth Sellers’ music curriculum when we were in grade school at Dexter.
About the time I was a freshman in high school, late 1950s, small towns held square dances for teens. I made my own dress, pink gingham with decorative tape of pink and silver. Sis Gloria’s (at left) was like it only in blue gingham. We wore plenty of stiff petticoats under the skirts and it looks like we both wore moccasins to dance in.
One of the most fun things we’ve watched are the Farmall Promenade Square Dancing Tractors when they were at the Iowa State Fair one year. The drivers were actual farmers from the tiny town of Nemaha, Iowa.
I remember going to square dances, but I’ll bet they were as organized as hers!!
In Florida? Wow!
No, no, that was on Long Island back when the lifestyle was sort of similar to what you had.
I figured it was a Midwest thing. What fun!
I love, love, love this post! In my rural Ohio roots square dancing lessons were part of the kindergarten and first grade curriculum. Memories and movement that will stick with me for all time. Thank you, Joy! 🥰
What fun! Thanks, Vicki!
Thank you for promoting the memories! 🥰
Square dancing was a big part of my life growing up. Mom and Dad loved it and were good at it too. I wasn’t quite so good but it was fun and I loved the dresses.
Yes, loved the dresses! Thanks, Darlene.
Even in Detroit we had square-dancing as part of physical-ed back in the early 50s
What fun! Thanks, John!
😊
I remember doing square dancing in Jr. High school and there was a square dance group that used to meet in our church hall when I was living in San Jose, CA.
I didn’t know more than just rural kids did it. Thanks, Andrew!
Square dancing is fun and great exercise. Your parents must have really enjoyed it and it probably kept them in good shape. When I was in elementary school, all the students had to square dance in the gym when the weather was bad. I never could get the hang of it. 🙂
Mom really enjoyed it, but the old WWII pilot couldn’t hear the calls clearly, so got discouraged with not keeping up. Aha, something active to do during bad weather.
I remember learning to square dance when I was a kid. It was fun. Recently, I heard an obscure recording of a guy doing square dance calls to the tune of “Stand by Me.” I absolutely love it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnK0vdaPX5A
Thanks, Liz. That’s fun, but you sure have to listen carefully!
You’re welcome, Joy!
I bet it was fun, Joy. 😊
You bet!
I recall square dancing when I was in grade school. Thank God I wasn’t very big back then. I think I spent more time on my partners toes than my own. Thanks for the blast from the past.
Thanks, Rich!
I’m not a dancer, but I enjoyed watching those square dancing Farmalls! Quite the drivers there!
It was such fun to get to see them in person at the Iowa State Fair!