Some are coming because they like to camp, too, but up to 200 people will be coming to the Sportsplex mainly because they love to square dance.
The Elora Grand Squares will be acting as hosts for the event. Member Joan Klapwyk said the club’s membership comes from all over Centre Wellington, but mainly Fergus and Elora.
She said the even will attract people from all over Southwestern Ontario for the Ontario Camporee, and it is “a fun event.”
Some experts have stated that square dancing will add ten years to an average life because it is excellent exercise and stress free.
Square dance moves also raise heart rates like aerobic exercises should, but not so severely as to cause injury.
Klapwyk said many of the campers will roll up to the Sportsplex in their big rigs, but the square dancing itself will be held in the Sportsplex.
The Elora Squares are part of the National Square dance Campers Association, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. There are 175 chapters across Canada and the United States.
The Ontario clubs are the organizers of the Camporee.
The weekend will consist of camping, socializing, and square dancing. On Sunday, there will be a nondenominational church service.
One of the highlights of the weekend is the lengthy evening dances, three hour events where everyone gets to show off their styles in square and round dancing.
There is also a grand march, where dancers don their traditional costumes in their club or chapter colours and parade into the hall with flags and banners.
There will also be workshops during the day that will teach new moves or give help with steps and form.
Klapwyk said anyone interested in square dancing or just learning about it is welcome to drop by the Sportsplex Friday or Saturday night. There is no admission fee. The Camporee has been held at the Sportsplex since 2007.
In September, Elora Grand Squares will offer a six week introduction to modern square dancing.
The course will run on Monday evenings from 7:30 to 10pm from Sept. 13 to Oct. 25.
For information, call 519-843-7080, or email webers@sympatico.ca for a registration form.
