Agricultural roots run deep in the Mancos Valley and surrounding communities. When the Montezuma School to Farm Project celebrates this precious heritage during their March 16 Spring Hoedown, it will be a party that locals and visitors don't want to miss.
Festivities take place Saturday, March 16, from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Mancos Opera House. Proceeds go toward continued growth and expansion of the School to Farm Project, (MSTFP) which include school garden programs, farm field trips, and summer camps for K-12 Montezuma County students. Also benefiting is the Pay It Forward Fund, a medical relief fund for Mancos Valley residents in need.
The Spring Hoedown entertainment line-up includes a real hoedown with square and line dancing, three live bands, and a wonderful array of silent auction items that are farm and garden oriented. (A half-tom bale of alfalfa hay, farm baskets, herbal prducts, baby chicks, canning lessons, kids gardening too sets, airplane rides and more) A feast of local food and beer round out the offerings.
Collaborating closely with the Mancos, Cortez and Dolores School Districts, MSTFP serves over 1,600 students and teaches more than 9,000 educational hours each year, fostering a stronger connection amongst students to the rich regional agricultural heritage.
While searching for local entertainment for the Spring Hoedown, MSTFP Director Sarah Syverson was excited to discover a complimentary American Heritage tradition kept alive locally for generations and going strong - square dancing. Oldtimers might remember the joyous community dances or barn dances that were the glue of a hardworking agricultural community, important social events that were held in Grange Halls, old theatres, dance halls or barns, and often included the whole family in a potluck social and dance. People got there however they could - on horseback or by jalopy.
While adults visited, children played among themselves during the evening and after tiring were put to bed in a spare room or on top of coats under a table. Music was provided by local musicians, a mixture of country, old time hoedowns, and even an elegant waltz or two.
In Mancos, dances were held at the Mary Blake Hall south of town and before that at the Old Sawmill (now under the water of McPhee Reservoir).
By the 1950s to the 1980s there were a number of local square dance clubs with names like Levi's and Lace or The Circle Eights.
In 1952, Dee Cox became the caller for the Circle Eight Square dance club in Cortez, while Otto Degner called for the Buckles and Bows in Farmington for 42 years. Otto was a nationally known caller who taught over 2,000 people to square dance and mentored Lloyd Husted of Farmington, who today carries on the tradition by mentoring a number of local apprentice callers.
Cortez is fortunate to have a wonderful local caller in Richard Berry, calling for the Four Corners Dancers, and who is currently teaching a beginner class on Monday nights in Cortez at Kemper elementary school. For information on classes call Don or Judy Morris at 565-9836 or Vonnie Robinson at 749-9682.
To share their love of this joyous dance form, couples from three area square dance clubs will demonstrate a dance "tip" with caller Carla Roberts at the Spring Hoedown. During Roberts' presentation from 5 to 6:30 p.m., all ages are encouraged to get up try some simple square and line dances. Special young children's dance activities will include the "Chicken Dance" and other fun.
Roberts is also volunteering at the Mancos Middle School teaching Rachel Romance's PE students a basic square dance routine that some students hope to perform at the Spring Hoedown.
So don't be shy, come on out and kick up your heels for a worthy cause on Saturday, March 16.
Entertainment schedule:
5 to 6:30 - square and line dancing with Carla Roberts
6:45 to 8 - Caruta Roma Gypsy Band
8:15 to 9:30 - Hello Dollface
9:45 to 11 - Robby Overfield & The Breaks
Tickets are $20 for adults, 17 and under free and are available at Maria's Bookshop, Spruce Tree Espresso House, Zuma Natural Foods and Dolores Food Market. For more information call 970-903-8831.
