Brushy Mountain Squares Celebrate the 75th Diamond Jubilee National Square Dance Convention
Everything really is bigger in Texas – including the fun!
With the theme “Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary,” the 75th Diamond Jubilee National Square Dance Convention in Waco, Texas, was a patriotic celebration of our nation’s history and the friendships that unite square dancers from around the world. Fifteen members of the Brushy Mountain Squares packed their dancing shoes and joined more than 3,000 dancers from across the United States and beyond for an unforgettable week of dancing, laughter, and fellowship.
From the moment we arrived, there was something exciting happening around every corner. We enjoyed dancing at two iconic Waco landmarks—the historic Waco Suspension Bridge and the famous Magnolia Silos. Both venues offered unforgettable memories and a unique Texas backdrop for some great dancing.
The convention also encouraged everyone to explore the city through a fun sightseeing passport. As we visited local attractions, we collected stamps along the way, and those who completed the passport earned a special commemorative dangle—a great souvenir from an incredible week.
Of course, no trip is complete without good food, and Waco certainly didn’t disappoint. We enjoyed several outstanding local restaurants while sharing plenty of laughs and stories around the table.
One of the biggest highlights of the week was dancing to an incredible lineup of national and international callers, whose talent kept the dance floors full from morning until night. We also enjoyed dancing alongside square dancers from across the United States and around the world, once again proving that square dancing truly is an international family united by music, friendship, and fun.
Each evening, the Main Hall came alive as the Ghost Riders provided outstanding live music while the callers called the dances, creating an exciting atmosphere that kept the dance floor packed well into the night. The combination of live music and talented callers made for an unforgettable experience. Another favorite tradition was the colorful Parade of States, where dancers proudly represented their home states in a celebration of the nationwide square dance community.
And because Brushy Mountain Squares can never resist an opportunity to dance, we managed to trash dance whenever and wherever the chance presented itself! Whether it was in hallways, outside venues, or between events, if there was music and enough room for a square, we were dancing.
We were also proud to watch a wonderful demonstration by the Young at Hearts club from Mountain City, Tennessee. Their enthusiasm and talent made for an outstanding performance that represented Tennessee well. We were especially honored that several Brushy Mountain Squares members were invited to join them on the floor during the demonstration, making the experience even more memorable and showcasing the friendships that extend far beyond our own club.
Of course, no Brushy Mountain trip would be complete without a story from the road. On the way home, traffic came to a standstill on the interstate after a truck hauling limes caught fire. While most folks were simply waiting for traffic to move, Cool Hand found an opportunity to spread a little square dance joy by teaching some youth a few moves during the delay. Only Brushy Mountain could turn a traffic jam full of limes into a chance to make lemonade—and maybe inspire a few future square dancers along the way!
As always, one of the greatest blessings of attending a national convention was reconnecting with old friends while making many new friends. The friendships built through square dancing continue to be one of the most rewarding parts of this amazing activity.
As the music faded and another unforgettable National Square Dance Convention came to a close, the excitement is already building for what’s ahead. Plans are already being made for the 76th National Square Dance Convention in Loveland, Colorado, the 77th National Square Dance Convention in Daytona Beach, Florida, and the 78th National Square Dance Convention in Overland Park, Kansas. If this year’s convention taught us anything, it’s that the miles traveled are small compared to the friendships made along the way. We hope to see many familiar faces—and plenty of new ones—as we continue making memories one dance at a time.
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 75th Diamond Jubilee National Square Dance Convention such a memorable experience. We returned home with tired feet, full hearts, new friendships, and enough memories to last until the next dance.
Brushy Mountain Squares… Making Memories, One Dance at a Time!
