Quebec 4-H Association Hosts 5th Annual Square Dancing Competition

On February 14th, members of the Quebec 4-H participated in the 5th annual Provincial Square Dance Competition.

The event, which kicked off at 1:00 P.M., included a total of 12 teams in the Junior and Senior divisions who travelled from across Quebec to participate in this jovial tradition. Registration was up two teams from last year, with brightly-adorned teams of two taking the floor in the Macdonald Campus Ballroom in Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue. Hosted by the MAC/JAC branch of the 4-H, over 200 spectators were in attendance to watch over 100 dancers, coaches and callers take the floor. A collegial 4-H club based in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, MAC/JAC is the collaboration of Macdonald Campus students and John Abbott College students, established to give 4-H’ers leaving their home communities a place to get together. MAC/JAC meets once a week during the school year to line dance, practice for upcoming square dances and to host social recreation nights.

Couples swayed to the sounds of the Neil Mackay Band, a swing band who often plays the association’s square dancing events. The energy was cheerful, with many community members present, eager to support their various clubs. “The event brings together members, leaders, and parents from clubs from various regions, while creating a social event for everyone. Along with brightening winter, the dancers benefit from team work, commitment and physical fitness while prepping for the upcoming competitions in Ormstown and Vankleek, Ontario,” explained Quebec 4-H Executive Director, Lorelei Muller.

 A long-standing tradition amongst Quebec 4-H members since 1979, square dancing is enjoying an uptick in participation due to the efforts of the provincial association, who noticed dwindling participation in the number of dancers and coaches in 2009. After being granted funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, the association was able to inspire a resurgence in square dancing. According to the club’s Agricultural Liaison Chelsea Daniel, 2015 saw more than 400 members list square dancing as one of their 4-H projects.

In addition to ribbons, winners also enjoyed the newest addition to the association—trophies. “This year we realized that, with the continued expansion of this event, we wanted to capture its history by creating perpetual trophies. We set about refurbishing two trophies—one for Junior Champions and one for Senior Champions. Right now they’re in their barest state, but they will be spruced up by next year, and made complete by adding past winner plaques tracking back to 2012. For next year we are also looking into getting Couples and Callers trophies established, so we’re looking for community members who are interested in helping with that initiative,” explained Daniel.

Results:

-Champion Caller: Jessica Rouleau (Howick 4-H)

 -Up and Coming Couple: Jessica Rouleau and Kevin MacFarlane (Howick 4-H Seniors)

-Best Junior Couple: Emily McOuat and Anthony Godin (Lachute 4-H Plaid)?

-Best Senior Couple: Cassie Allen and Jesse Bradley (Vankleek Hill)

-Honourable Mention: Ariane France and Thomas MacDougall for “grace under pressure of wardrobe malfunction”

Junior Teams

1. Lachute Green

2. Lachute Plaid

3. Howick

4. Ormstown

5. Richmond Grasshoppers

6. Lachute Peewee Red

 Senior Teams

1. Vankleek Hill

2. Lachute

3 MAC/JAC Bells of Ireland

4. Howick

5. Richmond Troublesum Eightsum

6. Ormstown