Square dancers head to Sisters

There's a roundup in Sisters starting Thursday, August 6, and you won't need to know how to make a lasso or ride a horse. You might want to wear country-western garb and twirl your partner around the floor.

Four area square dance clubs have come together to sponsor the 27th annual event: Bachelor Beauts; Red Rock Squares; Sagebrush Shufflers; and the Sundown Round Dance Club.

Dancers can check in with wagon-master Gary Danner, who will have information on places of interest in Sisters.

"Each year it's getting bigger," said Linda Danner, wife of the wagonmaster. "A lot of people come because it's in Sisters. There's so much to do here."

The three-day event begins at 7 p.m. Thursday with an exhibition dance on the deck at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon. There's no cost, but donations are welcome.

Even though it's an exhibition, the public can join in.

Friday and Saturday, the main event will be held at Sisters High School, where dry camping is available. Dancing starts at 7 p.m. both days. Friday begins with something new this year: a deep-pit barbecue at 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon features a dance for the more advanced dancers; intermediate rounds run from 1 to 3 p.m.

Early Saturday morning you can look for the square and round dancers at Camp Sherman's Wizard Falls.

Tickets at the door are $13 per person per day. Spectators can come for free to enjoy an evening of entertainment.

"Square dancing isn't what it used to be. It used to be fluffy skirts, now people dress differently," said Linda Danner. "But when you do dress up it's like getting into costumes. You feel like dancing and twirling. All the guys wish they'd done it sooner. They really form a brotherhood where they can visit, share stories. It's a chance to talk outside work.

"For empty nesters it's something we can both do," she noted. "My husband used to golf. I don't. I quilted. He didn't. This is something we can do together."

People from throughout the United States come to the annual event.

"Some of the increased attendance has to do with the economy," said roundup president Dave Cooper. "People want to go someplace close."

Cooper explained that, "square dance comes from all cultures. It's the universal language. The calls are still spoken in English in Japan and India. The way it's called here is the way it's called around the world."