Square dancers throw Wing Ding in Merced

The Central California Square Dance Association held its 34th annual Wing Ding over the weekend at the Merced County Fairgrounds.

The festival attracted about 350 dancers from California, Nevada, Idaho and Arizona, according to Sheri Cummings, chairman of the association.

“This is our association festival,” Cummings said. “Our association has eight clubs in it, and one of our bigger clubs is here in Merced – Boots and Slippers.” The other seven clubs in the association are from Sonora, Oakdale and Turlock.

Many participants stayed in their recreational vehicles at the fairgrounds. Square dancing sessions were held in three halls, for all skill levels, from Friday night through Sunday morning. Saturday night included a grand march of all the association clubs.

Square dancers performed to renowned callers such as Jet Roberts of Sacramento. Cummings said the association was delighted to have caller Dee Dee Dougherty of Minnesota, because traditionally few women are square dance callers.

Cummings said the event had dancers from 10 years old up into their 90s. “Traditionally you’ll see the skirts and Western shirts, but times have changed, and during the day it’s all casual dress,” she said.

A spry Betty Welker, 80, of Merced said, “Congress has declared the dance for the USA is square dance, so it’s historical.”

Bev de Vries, 71, of Wallace, said: “It’s just really good fun. And when the dance is over and you go back, you’re all charged up because you’ve been having a fun time laughing and meeting friends. It’s an excellent activity.”

While de Vries said she likes the round dancing style, which is similar to ballroom dancing with only one couple performing, she spoke of the excitement of multiple squares of four couples dancing in sync to the caller’s commands.

“You’re changing partners, and weaving, and turning and twirling, and marching, and doing all kinds of patterns that the caller calls,” she said. “It’s phenomenal to watch 20 squares, and the caller has his eyes on all of them and gets everybody back where they started multiple times during a tip. It’s fun, a lot of fun.”

With most folk traditions, it’s sometimes difficult to get younger generations involved, but de Vries was optimistic. “We’d love to see a lot more young people,” she said. “They learn so fast, and they kick high, and they jump and twirl. It’s amazing and fun to watch them.”

Cummings said that square dancing classes start in September at the eight different clubs. For more information, go to www.ccsda.org.

The association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting square and round dancing in the Central Valley.

This story was originally published March 8, 2015 at 7:15 PM with the headline "Square dancers throw Wing Ding in Merced."