Who we are.We are a group of individuals who enjoy getting out of the house and turning off the TV and enjoying the socializing, fun and friendship of square dancing together.
It's FUN, HEALTHY and relieves the STRESS in our lives. And we get to meet some of our wonderful neighbors and make some new friends in the community.

How can I join in the fun? It's really very simple. The club holds square dance classes each year (Mondays from 7 to 9:30 pm). Those that wish to join us please call (352) 377-1828 and we'll give you all the information that you would like. The classes are easy and loads of fun. Regular dances are Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. Workshops from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Carpenters Union Hall, 1910 NW 53rd Avenue in Gainesville, Florida! We hope that you will join us soon.

Upcoming Event Calendar  To change the month click the arrow next to the month and year.

Put your mouse over any underlined day to see a special dance or event displayed. See "Events" below for details.

     "We  Do  Not  Grow  Too  Old  To  Dance.  We  Grow  Old  Because  We  Do  Not  Dance."

NEWS & UPCOMING DANCES / EVENTS

News...

Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. round dance lessons 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. plus workshop 7:30 - 8:00 p.m. easy plus workshop 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. regular plus

Square Dance Classes start in the fall. Click here for a map to the Carpenters Union Hall

Sunshine Committee

The Sunshine Committee is the arm of our club family who will be in touch with our members who might be ill, may be in the hospital or have a family member in the hospital or may have other needs or woes. They won't know unless you tell them. Click here to go to leave them a message.

Dances / Events...

Advanced Square Dance Class with seleceted reviews, Thursdays at the CFOP warehouse located at 10 NW 6th St., Gainesville, FL from 7 to 9 p.m. Bobby Keefe is the caller/instructor. All dancers from all clubs are welcome but you should have a good working knowledge of Mainstream and Plus levels before attempting the Advanced Levels. Click here for more info. Classes are ongoing.

ROUND DANCE LESSONS with Lon Ligon on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Carpenter's Union Hall, 1910 NW 53rd Avenue in Gainesville, Florida. Learn the fundementals of round dancing through level II.

The Rural and Gateway Callers Associations present Christmas in July. 'Square Dance to help others walk.' Saturday afternoon, July 11, 2009 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. at the Keystone Heights High School, Keystone Heights, FL. This event benefits the Shriners Crippled Children's Hospital. "Touch a quarter - Touch a heart" - bring your quarters, lets see how long we can make the line. Non-stop dancing and rounds. Click here for the flyer and a detailed map how to get there.

Grand Squares Ichetucknee River Party, Saturday, August 8, 2009 at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, FL. (South Entrance) The pavilion is rented. Bring something to share. Park opens at 8 a.m. Sign up sheet for tubes or rafts will be available later.

20th North Carolina State Square Dance Convention - Salute To The Troops August 14 & 15, 2009 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Click here to go to the official site.

NEFSARSA'S 5th SATURDAY DANCE, Are you ready for some football? Wear your favorite football team's colors. Saturday, August 29th, 2009. Callers: Lon Ligon and Gary Murphy; Cuer: Lisa Wall. Host Clubs: Dixie Dancers; Grand Squares: Vagabond Squares. To be held at Roundtree-Moore Toyota Indoor Showroom, 1232 West U.S. Hwy. 90, Lake City, FL (same place as the Blue-Gray Ball). Click here for the flyer and for information.

2009 Alabama Square and Round Dance Convention, August 28 and 29, 2009 in Pell City, AL Click here for the official flyer.

38th Georgia State Square Dance Convention, at the Macon Centreplex, 200 Coliseum Dr, Macon, GA 31210 September 17-19, 2009. Visit web site for additional details. Chairpersons Ralph & Judie Gill 912 437-8273.

  Oct. 11 - 17th, 2009 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. A week of square dance fun with R.J. & Joan Hogan and Lon & Peggy Ligon with rounds by Irene Knapp-Smith & George Smith. The week includes a lot of workshops and dancing, admission to the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Show, Magic Beyond Belief, Comedy Barn, Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show, the Smokey Mountain Arts & Crafts Festival, 3 dinner meals, 2 breakfasts and more. Click here for the flyer and all the detailed information.

56th at the O'Leno State Park, High Springs, FL. Featuring: Bill Chesnut & Bob Poyner calling; Lisa Wall on rounds. Friday & Saturday November 6 - 7, 2009. There are (2) two dance halls, plus, main stream and advanced star tips. Plenty of dancing, fun, food and friends. Rustic cabins available at the park, camping and camp sites available. Click here for details and the flyer.

56th Florida State Square and Round Dance Convention, at the Lakeland Center, Lakeland, FL, May 28, 29, & 30, 2010. Click here to go for more up to date information.

24rd Annual Watermelon Festival Square Dance Weekend at the Chiefland, FL Middle School Cafeteria Friday and Saturday, June 4th and 5th, 2010     The weekend will offer squares, rounds, line dancing and fun dances for dangles.This is a FUN dance weekend in a unique little town in Florida. <

59th National Square Dance Convention, Louisville, Kentucky, June 23 - 26, 2010 Click here to go to the official site.

Our Circle of Concerns

Ordy Greenly; Jack Willams is out of the hospital (still no visitors) but cards are more than welcome; O. J. Ferrington; Everatt Sweat; Toni and Ron Ferguson; Bill Christman; Minnie Modette; Burton Riggs; Herb Jesk; John Saunders: Bud & Sarah Small; Dick & Flo Gartee

Our History: The Grand Squares were formed by Lon & Peggy Ligon on June 22, 1975 at the Carpenters Union Hall [ 1910 NW 53rd Avenue in Gainesville, Florida ]  and we have been dancing there every Tuesday evening since 1975 (7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.). The club caller is Lon Ligon, who has been actively calling since 1971. Peggy Ligon , his wife, maintains and oversees the club activities and keeps all the booking, calling and club information. They are the past presidents of the Florida Callers Association and past officers of the Rural Callers Association and The Gateway Callers Association. They are current members of Callerlab.

Our Wonderful Dancers: Every club needs helpers, angels, and dancers. Our club certainly has some very dedicated people who are always there to participate and help whenever you need them. They are an asset to our club and to the WONDERFUL WORLD OF SQUARE DANCING.
Thank you ........

Active Members 2009

Joe Bettencourt, Lou Boehlein, Bill & Pat Christman, Barry Collins, Mignon Craig, 
Ron Doolen, Ron & Toni Ferguson, O. J. Ferrington, Ordy Greenly, Sue Griner, 
Oma & Diane Harrison, Steve & Janet Haulman, Jeff Hodges, Henry Kelly, Jim & Joanne McCann,
John & Neila Montagne, Bill Shultz, Virginia Oswalt, Amos & Mary Reid, 
Burton & Dorothy Riggs, Jerry & Donna Robey, Michael & Colleen Rogal,
Regis & Gwen Rogers, Janet Seiler, Shirley Rollison Shirley Scribner, Everatt & Lea Sweat, 
Patsy Vick, Bob & Rosemarie Vomacka, Jack & Shirley Williams, 
HC & Ann Thompson, Judy Williamson, Mary Williamson, Richard & Glenda Wills, Marlena Wills