Pat Yoder was thrilled to share about the attendance for the annual RGV Line Dance Bash held at Tropic Star last month. Attendance has more than doubled since the first event in 2023. She went on to say that they are so grateful for the incredible support from the RGV community.
“Your enthusiasm is what keeps this tradition thriving.”
The RGV Line Dance Bash is open to the public and this was its fourth year. This year it was held on January 25 at Tropic Star RV Resort. Tickets were sold for $5. Concessions were available and attendees were able to bring their own beverage and snacks. They had door prizes that were donated from Valley communities and parks.
This year’s theme was “Wild Thing” with jungle theme decorations. Jungle theme attire was completely optional. Tables were decorated with green and yellow tablecloths.
The event was put on by Pat Yoder and Julie Johnson. Yoder is a full-time resident at Pharr South and was the previous event coordinator for the first two years of the event. Johnson is a Winter Texan from Tropic Star and is a talented instructor in the Valley and up North.
The dance playlist for the event consisted of ultra beginner level to improver, majority were beginner level. The dance selection represented those danced in the Valley, commonly danced at the musician entertainer events and with instructors’ input. Favorites this season are Choosin’ Texas Stomp, Texas Girls, Twenty-Two, Hoedown, and A Bar Song.
The group of over 165 dancers learned a ‘Stand by Me’ routine, then danced in an inner and outer circle formation. This is a type of Contra dance, which is new to many dancers. This dance consists of dancers facing each other, all doing the same dance steps, but this year it was a moving circle.
This year they had an extra-large dance hall, where three dances were taught step-by-step. Learning the dances was an alternative to the open dancing in the main hall. Ranging from eight to 30 years.
With 45 dances, the DJ ran the playlist with instructors announcing dance names and music with a one wall demo. There was a split floor, beginners on one end, high beginners on the other, making it easier for the dancers to focus on their dance level version.
The organizers hope each person left with new friends, accomplishments and a smile on their face. The instructors have many years of experience teaching dancing back home or in the Valley. They also want to give a huge thanks to those that attended, all the volunteers, cashiers, greeters, the DJ, and everyone that helped out with the sound system, in the kitchen, and with the setup and cleanup.
Approximately 14 Valley RV parks were represented, as well as dancers visiting the Valley. There was no definite head count on how many from each park attended, but they do know names of some of the parks that were represented. Some of the parks with members in attendance were Pharr South, Tropic Star, Alamo Country Club, Casa del Valle, Alamo Rose, Trophy Gardens, Llano Grande, Paradise Resort Estates in Pharr, Victoria Palms, Bit-O-Heaven, Oleander Acres RV Resort, Winter Ranch, and Alamo Palms.
Submitted by Pat Yoder
