Cripple Creek Cloggers to celebrate 50th

A planning committee has been formed and a tentative date of March 25, 2017 has been set for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Cripple Creek Clogger organization. Through social media, personal contact, and print media, attempts are being made to contact all previous members of this group, which began in 1967 as the Kittrell 4-H Square Dancers. In 1968, the name was changed to Rutherford County Square Dancers and in 1980, adults, many of them former members of the younger group, called Cripple Creek Cloggers, became a part of the organization.

The troupe made their first out-of-state trip in 1968 to the National Folk Festival in Milwaukee, WI. In 1973, they were selected as Ambassadors of Friendship to tour and perform in Romania for three weeks. Their first participation in an international folkloric festival was in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1977. Following their travels, they organized International Folkfest, the first festival of its type in the U.S., which they still host.

Still maintaing their goal to help preserve Appalachian-style square dancing with a clogging step, the troupe meets weekly. All interested persons are invited to participate. There is no charge and for more information, write to RCSDCCC50th@gmail.com or see the facebook page, "RCSDCCC Reunion Party."

Members of the Planning Committee include Troy Bell (archivist), Sandra Elgin Maxwell, Jane Elrod, and Leslie Linebaugh.