TARGET 151209

SQUARE DANCING WITH TRACTORS

Square Dancing the hard way

Yes, Ma'am! Square dancin' with tractors is a real sport. But y'gotta learn to "doss-ee-do", "daisy-chain", "swing yer partner", and all that kind o' stuff first. This takes a lot more skill than just dancing on your feet.

Dancing close
Dancing cheek to cheek

Square dancing with tractors started back in the 1953 when an ad campaign by tractor manufacturer, International Harvester" was designed to show off their tractor model Farmall Super-C could switch attachments as quickly as square dancers swing from partner to partner.

For those who aren't familiar with normal square dancing, four couples stand in a square space, facing each other and swing around from partner to partner in step with lively music and the random commands of a "caller" who calls out specific formations, which the dancers must perform. It is a precison dancing method, since it requires each of the dancers to acurately follow the random dance directions of the "caller" while staying in time with the music. The dancing can get quite fast and lively, and at times, even dangerous as the couples swing in fast circles, still staying in the square. For a 4 minute video of a square dance, look here .

The following video shows how square dancing is done with tractors. You will hear the caller give the commands, and the dancers must go from the last called command to the next one, in unison, and without crashing into each other. The caller gives commands to all the dancers at times, but at other times, to only the women or men. The commands can either be to the "left" or "right", as well, so the dancers must listen very closely to the commands or disaster can happen very quickly.

Both " honor your corner " and " square up " mean to go to the starting formation.

To " star " is to go in a tight circle in the middle.

To " alliman " is to weave in and out around the circle.

To " prominade " is to form back into original couples and circle around the outside of the square.

Lower the volume slide before you start the video. It's very loud.


It is rare that a woman will be the driver of a tractor in these dances, mainly because while the men are out practicing these intricate moves with their tractors, the women are doing the real work of caring for the family, etc. But square dancing is always done with male/female couples, so, in most of these dances, you will find that the "women" are usually men in wigs and dresses.




The "ladies"

Tractor square dancing isn’t an organized sport. There are no statistics on how many groups exist especially as people often come together just to perform at one-time-only events. But you can be sure that any state with serious tractor-maneuvering skills has residents looking for a way to show off and "Just get out there and have some fun!".

FEEDBACK MAP

Since tractor square dancing is becoming an event around the world (even in Europe), there is no specific location to dowse for. If you search the internet for this topic, though, you will probably find an event somewhere near you. It's really worth going to see it.

If you got impressions for which this feedback is insufficient, more information,
pictures and videos can be found at the following web sites:

Photo grallery & information
Farm Collector web site
OddityCentral.com
Video
Video
Delaware County Tractor Square Dancers
Modern Farmer web site