July 8, 2018 – Ar-Dale Dancers Square Dance “Mainstream” Workshop, White Bear Lake, Caller Larry Fruetel.  Six squares with dancers from eight organizations were present (see photo above).

July 4, 2018 – McGrath Town Celebration Square Dance Demo, McGrath, Caller Abe Maier. Three squares with dancers from Cambridge Corners, County Line Squares, Rays Promenaders, and Westonka Whirlers (see photo above) were present.  McGrath Celebration Photos

The 67th National Square and Round Dance Convention was held in Kansas City, MO, June 27-30, 2018.  Ninety-four Minnesotans out of approximately 3,150 dancers were present. The photo above was taken at the evening Mainstream dance on June 30 with national callers and the Ghost Riders Band.

June 29, 2018 – Mainstream dance with the Ghost Riders Band.

The “Last Square Standing” competition, the first place square included two people from Minnesota. The top three squares all had at least one person from Minnesota.

The “Last Square Standing” competition, the second place square included five people from Minnesota.

Several Minnesota youth joined other youth from across the country at the National Square Dance Convention.

June 27, 2018 – Trail End Square Dance with Ghost Riders Band, Callers Tony Oxendine and friends. Photo was taken during the first tip – later tips covered nearly the whole dance floor.

June 24, 2018 – Pairs & Squares “Favorite Hat” Square Dance, Battle Lake, Caller Abe Maier.  Four squares with dancers (see photo above) from Wadena Whirlaways, Saturday Fun Nite, Rockin’ Country Dancers, Pairs & Squares, Happy Twirlers, and County Line Squares were present.

Couples celebrating their anniversary during the month of June.

June 22, 2018 – Westonka Whirlers “Crazy Hats and T-Shirts” Square Dance, Mound, Caller Dick Rueter, Guest Caller Tom Allen, Cuer Ray Belanger.  Ten squares with dancers from Beaux & Belles, County Line Squares, Crystal Cross Trailers, Dakota Grand Squares, Danc’n Singles (Smyrna, GA), Hot Foot Stompers, Pleasant Hill Promenaders (Southaven, MS), Single Circles, South Metro Stars, Spares & Pairs, Triple T Squares, Wandering Wheels, and four from Westonka Whirlers!  Also present were County Line Squares Queen Gael and King Doug, Dakota Grand Squares Queen Rose Marie and King John, Hot Foot Stompers Queen Coni, Spares & Pairs Queen Jennifer and King Barry, Westonka Whirlers Queen Anita and King Bill, SDM Chair LeRoy Elfmann, SDM Secretary Gael Zachman, SDM Education Director Barry Down, SDM Historian Al Martin, and SDM Membership Director Mary Kay Amberg.  What a wonderful crowd!

Plenty of food.

Cuer Ray Bellanger, Caller Dick Rueter, Caller Tom Allen, and President Cindy Martin.

Dakota Grand Squares.

Spares & Pairs.

Afternoon Squares.

Hot Foot Stompers.

County Line Squares.

Single Circles.

June 21, 2018 – Owatonna.  A frisky group of “young-at-heart” dancers grouped together in tribute to Harlan and Lois Holzerland (seated center in the photo above).  Everyone present had some sort of past connection to the couple.  Harland reminisced that he and Lois taught over 3000 student dancers throughout their career and justly have become local legends.  Betty and Wayne Kubicek hosted the reunion/honorarium.

June 20, 2018 – Beaux & Belles “Happy Birthday Everyone” Square Dance, St Cloud, Caller Tom Allen.  Four squares with dancers from Koronis Nite Owls, Danc’n Singles (Smyrna, GA), County Line Squares, and Beaux & Belles were present.

June 19, 2018 – Bruentrup Heritage Farm Square Dance Demo, Maplewood, Caller Larry Fruetel.  Dancers from many organization participated. Photo above is the Ar-Dale Dancers present.

Dakota Grand Squares members present
with Caller Larry Fruetel.

June 16, 2018 – The Laker Pioneer Newspaper ran a half-page story about square dancing at The Gillespie Center!

June 13, 2018 – ETTA Square & Rounds Square Dance, St Cloud, Caller Tom Allen.  Two squares with dancers (see photo above) from Amethyst Squares (Thunder Bay, ON), County Line Squares, Danc’n Singles (Smyrna, GA), and ETTA Square & Rounds.