February 1, 2004 – By Brian Elmer, Westbank, B.C.
YOUTH SQUARE DANCE PARTY WAS "COOL" SAY THE KIDS
Children aged 8 and up from around the Central Okanagan converged the evening of Friday January 30th on the Mount Boucherie Hall on Kelowna's Westside for a Free Newcomer Square Dance Party.
Hosted by the non-profit Westside Youth Square Dance Club, the party was to acquaint kids with the concept of a weekly evening of fun while learning to do modern square dancing. About 20 children whirled around the dance floor and thought the whole event to be pretty cool. The big snowstorm of the night before probably cut into attendance as some parents chose not to brave the roads.
Except for one adult advisor who thanked everyone at the close, all the emceeing was done by children from the dance club, each from the Westbank area. Decked out in a beautiful maroon dance outfit, eleven year old Chauni opened the evening with a welcome, gave the agenda and introduced the square dance caller. Throughout the evening draws were made for the many prizes. In her party hat and dress, eight year old Cosette took the microphone and called out winners' names just after a drum roll played each time over the public address system. Later, and just as confidently, eight year old Desiree continued the prize giveaways with the help of nine year old Kendra who made the draws.
Under colourful streamers and 15 helium balloons provided by the Dollar Store at Westridge Mall, Westbank, caller-teacher Glen Bailie of Peachland had the children moving with confidence to a myriad of modern square dance calls. Many children have received square dance instruction from him in school and were very proud to demonstrate their new-found dance skills.
A gigantic combination chocolate and vanilla iced cake reading "Square Dancing Is Fun!" was the featured treat at the close of the evening. Of course, chocolate or vanilla ice cream was provided to accompany the cake along with juice boxes donated by Coopers Food Store in Westbank. Many Kelowna and Westbank merchants donated prizes for the party which allowed every child to leave with some treasure. A list of those kind merchants can be seen on this web site.
Photos of the party fun are posted in the photo gallery on this web site.
PRIZES GALORE AT OUR NEWCOMER PARTY!
The Westside Youth Square Dance Club is grateful to the following Central Okanagan
businesses for supporting our recent Free Newcomer Square Dance Party with many great gifts. Thanks to them, every child dancer attending received a prize.
In alphabetical order, they are:
A & W Restaurant, Westbank
Blockbuster Video, Westbank
Capri Lanes, Kelowna
Cooper's Food Store, Westbank
Dairy Queen, Westbank
Fifth Avenue Auto, Westbank
Good Guys Home Entertainment, Westbank
McDonald's Restaurant, Westbank
Scandia Golf and Games, Kelowna
Taco Time, Westbank
Tim Horton's, Westbank
Wendy's Restaurant, Westbank
Westside White Spot Restaurant, Westbank
Your Dollar Store (With More), Westbank
Zellers, Westbank
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