Square Daning at the Farm Show

Harrisburg – The arena floor was filled with a flourish of colors and patterns as dancers, young and old, took to 58 squares during the Square Dancing Competition Monday, Jan. 9, at the 2012 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Dance caller Dan Prosser of Dillsburg, York County, said the event is “truly a family activity.” Square dancers have been part of the Pennsylvania Farm Show since the mid-1950s.

The Farm Show competition has three different classes of dancers: 16 years old and under, 16 to 25 years old, and an open class where dancers of any age could strut their stuff in western square dancing.

Prosser said there are two different types of square dancing. In traditional square dancing, moves are dictated by the music and about 25 different calls. Western square dancing has about 100 different calls and moves are dictated by the caller. With western square dancing, the caller can make any variation of call order they would like.

Candice Miller from Chest Springs, Cambria County, has been dancing since she was eight years old and started because her dad, Tom, was an avid square dancer. Miller still dances because she’s met so many friends from around the country.

Miller said, “I love square dancing. It is universal – the same all around the world – and is always performed in English, no matter where the dancing is taking place.”

It doesn’t matter how young or old or what you do, Prosser added, “Everybody in the square is equal, and that makes for quite a sight to see.”

Provided by the PA Department of Agriculture

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