If fun dancing is the measure of success Peel the Pumpkin 2015: Footloose and Fancy Free was a great success. Todd Fellegy, Nick Martellacci and John Marshall were all at the top of their game, keeping the dancers moving around the floor at a fast clip with interesting calls at the Woodbridge Hotel at MetroPark in New Jersey from October 16-18.
107 dancers registered for the fly-in and hailed from up and down the east coast from Massachusetts to Virginia and as far away as Florida, California and Canada. Many of our friends from the Northern New Jersey Square Dance Association (NNJSDA) also came out to support our club.
The costume contest is always fun and this year’s Footloose and Fancy Free gave a wide latitude to the participant’s creativity. There were nymphs, satyrs and faeries as well as a jailbird and a green-faced Wicked Witch of the West.
I spent much of my time working on the basket raffle. Thanks to all the club members who donated beautiful baskets, and the volunteers who wrapped them and staffed the table to auction them off. Between the baskets and the 50-50 drawing we made just over one thousand dollars.
While we did well, Donna Poyer, former president of the NNJSDA, made out like a bandit. Not only did she win the 50-50 and get showered with losing tickets, she bought $20 in raffle tickets and won 5 baskets! What could be better than attending a fly-in and making a profit while you’re at it!
Plans are already under way for next year’s fly-in. Same time, same place. Look for the details on our website. Hope to see you there.