|
Still hip to be square after 20 years in Bow |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, 04 September 2008 |
|
 Larry Larson swings his wife and dancing partner, Cathy, during the 20th Tom and Jerry Labor Day Weekend square dance event in Broken Bow. The Larson’s, who now serve as hosts for the event, have been attending the weekend dance for 18 years.
By MICHELLE ZLOMKE
Chief Managing Editor
For the 20th year, the swingin’, stompin’ and swooshin’ filled the brightly lit auditorium this weekend at Broken Bow Municipal Building.
Nationally-known square dance callers Jerry Junck and Tom Roper celebrated two decades of working the crowds in Broken Bow during their annual Labor Day Weekend event.
“Tom and Jerry put this on themselves,” said Cathy Larson of Broken Bow. “They just really enjoy coming here. They have other weekends that they’ve tried in other places, but they haven’t lasted.”
Larson, and her husband, Larry, have attended the event for 18 years. They now serve as hosts for the dance.
“Really, Broken Bow needs to feel honored,” Larson said. “These guys call all over the nation.”
She said Junck is a Wayne, resident who has been calling since 1955. Roper lives in Omaha, Ill. and has called dances since 1977.
This year, 120 people from several states attended the square dance weekend.
In her database, she has a list of more than 450 couples or individuals who have come to the three-day event in the last 20 years.
She said the event has remained popular because people enjoy Broken Bow.
“People just enjoy coming to Broken Bow,” she said. “We were talking about it this weekend, and there are people who have come all 20 years.”
Larson also pointed to the camaraderie among square dancers as an incentive to come to dance events.
“Square dancers are out to have fun. I have never met another square dancer that didn’t have fun.
“They used to come from just Kansas and Nebraska, and now they come from all over,” she said. “And they used to come for the callers, but they keep coming and it’s for the people who are here. It’s like a family reunion.” |
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 September 2008 )
|
Huskers.com
