This section of the webpage is dedicated to
Eileen Watts who ran the dance for many years!

• This tradition started back in the early 1950's.

• In 2014, the night of "The Dance" was changed from Thursday to Friday, allow more kids and adults to enjoy this tradition.

• "You put your right foot in You put your right foot out You put your right foot in And you shake it all about..."

Craig Carder shared the history about the start of the children dances and his roll in getting starting the dances - started in 1952. The group of kids Craig hung out with (6 boys and 6 girls all about the same age 12-14) usually took part in the activities together - swimming, water skiing, baseball etc. So, one Thursday night Craig and friends decided to dance in the Gazebo. Everyone brought a flashlight which they tied to the rail so they could see. Craig brought a portable radio. Rock music was just edging its way into conservative WI. "ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK" was the favorite. They all had a lot of fun that night. The party broke up about 9:30 as most of the kids had a curfew at 10pm. They decided to do it again the next Thursday (weather permitting), but they all agreed that the gazebo was too small. They asked Craig if I could ask his grandfather and asked Jim Thorpe to ask his father (everyone knew both were "Big shots" on the board) if they could somehow use the meeting hall where the weekly BINGO was held (the garage where the fire truck and the dump truck were parked). The board approved and as they say, "The rest is History".

What is your favorite?