Starlight Promenaders History

Bill & Helen Stripp, club historians for the Starlight Promenaders, trace the club's beginnings to the City of Sanford where it was founded in 1959 as a part of the Sanford Adult Recreation Program.

The Starlight Promenaders' first caller and instructor was the late Joe Curtis of Orlando. In the beginning, the club held its dances outdoors on the civic center patio under the stars, hence the name - The Starlight Promenaders. The club then moved indoors and danced in the beautiful Sanford Civic Center. Bill Myer of the Sanford Naval Base was the club's first president.

The club has always been proud of their callers. After Joe Curtis, the Promenaders enjoyed the calling of Chuck Durant of Holly Hill (now of Titusville). Chuck called for the club for seven years. Bob Rust of Daytona Beach is presently the club's caller and is into his fifth year in this capacity.

After 16 years at the Sanford Civic Center, the adult recreation program was phased out and the Starlight Promenaders moved to the Civic Center in DeBary. They currently dance at the Center every Wednesday night with the last Wednesday of each month set aside as "party night." The ladies of the club furnish all the goodies for each party night. The club celebrates birthdays and anniversaries of its club members each month.

The Starlight Promenaders recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special dinner at the Deltona Inn. The club calls itself a "fun club" and claims square dancing really is great fun when the Promenaders get together. Club Caller Rust keeps everyone up-to-date on the latest square dance figures during Workshop Time the second tip of each evening.

Presently, the club has a number of eager class dancers taking beginner lessons and everyone is having a ball. At the Starlight Promenaders, "the welcome mat is always out." All square dancers are invited and welcome to square-up any Wednesday night with one of the friendliest, best and oldest fun clubs in the area - The Starlight Promenaders.

Reprinted from the January-March 1980 issue of The Square Dance Bulletin, Danny Robinson publisher