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Schroon Lake Square Dances

Schroon Lake, Essex County
Weekly Community Dances


Since the 1930s, year-round residents and “summer people” have gathered every Wednesday evening in July and August in a lakeside park in Schroon Lake to “do-si-do” and “Allemande left” until dark. The local tradition continues today, even when such dancing has decreased in popularity elsewhere. As many as 200 people attend each week, with three, even four, generations taking part. While local fiddlers and other musicians were from the local area in earlier years, now the musicians and callers come from several places and vary from week to week, so the dances and tunes may vary as well. Each week, however, there are plenty of opportunities for children to learn the basics and for teenagers and young families to participate. There’s even one dance they call the Zodiac that’s such a local favorite that it’s a requirement each week and nearly everyone gets into the act.



Click here to hear Todd Moe's interview with Ed Lowman, coordinator of the Scrhoon Lake square dances, on North Country Public Radio.



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