The first meeting of the North Florida Square Dancers Association (NEFSDA) was held on June 3, 1957 at the Jacksonville YMCA with dancers from seven clubs in attendance.

The Original area covered by the Association was the Northern portion of the State of Florida, extending westward from the Atlantic Ocean across the Panhandle to the Alabama State Line.

The Florida Federation redrew Association boundary lines in 1964 and again in 1984, bringing the total number of counties incorporated in the Northeast to 13.

From 1957 until 1962 membership in the Northeast Association was composed of individual dancers.  In 1962 membership was converted to the present policy of membership by club format.

In 1953 a newsletter known as The Grapevine was published by dancer Eddie Bowman.  In 1960 publication of the newsletter was turned over to the Association and is still being published "under contract" as a quarterly magazine.  The Grapevine has had approximately 15 Editors since its inception with the current editors, Charlie & Sara Pergrossi, having held the job since 2007.  It remains Florida's oldest Square and Round Dance publication.

In 1974 the Association began a Blood Bank program.  In 2002 the delegates voted to support a Charity Dance in 2003 with proceeds going to the Northeast Hospice in lieu of the Blood Bank.  In 2005 NEFSARDA supported the Donna Hicken Foundation (Breast Cancer) at its Charity Dance.  NEFSARDA dancers are still encouraged to continue their blood donations to the Blood Bank.

On January 1, 1986 the name of the Association was formally changed to Northeast Florida Square & Round Dancers Association (NEFSARDA).

NEFSARDA has hosted 10 State Conventions.  The most recent being in 2005.  This convention was chaired by Charlie & Val Newsome.  The next is the 2010 Convention which will be chaired by Bud & Anita Taylor.

Ten Northeast Past Presidents have served as President of the Florida Federation.  Those still active are Dave & Shirley Nihart, Don & Bonnye Bell, Bee Dee & Bessie Stovall and Jack & Kathy McKinney.  In 2006 Charlie & Val Newsome were elected to the Federation Board as Parliamentarian and now hold the office of secretary.

May 26, 1996 Dave & Shirley Nihart were inducted into the Florida Square Dance Hall of Fame.

In June 1997 Florida Hosted the 46th National Square Dance Convention with many Northeast dancers working diligently towards the success of the event.

In 1998 Dave & Shirley Nihart were appointed by the Federation President to serve as one of the two Florida Federation representatives to the United Square Dancers of America (USDA) and served in that capacity until June 1999.  In June 1999 Charlie & Val Newsome were appointed as Representatives to USDA replacing the Niharts and served in that capacity until February 2005.

NEFSARDA, as well as several clubs in the Association, hold benefit dances throughout the year for various charities and through 2005 have raised over $125,000 for those less fortunate.

The 50th Annual Fall Festival sponsored by NEFSARDA was held in 2003.  A highlight each year is the naming of the Dance Couple/Dancer of the Year.  The names of those winners are listed on our Dancer of the Year page.