Oh, How We Danced!

"Novelty Dance Popular - The dance floor of the I.O.O.F. hall was uncomfortably crowded on Wednesday night when over one hundred persons assembled to dance in hard-time costumes to the music of the Hammond orchestra. Prizes were offered for the most conspicuous outfits, and from the appearance of the dancers all the relegated-to-the-rubbish clothing was dug up and donned for the occasion. The result was a novelty dance which was much pleasure to all and lasted intil 2:30 o'clock in the morning."

- High River Times, April 1925

"It was Christmas night. It was bitterly cold, and this was the night of the big dance in Cayley sponsored by the Cayley Boys' Band.

When we arrived about nine o'clock there were only a few couples there. For the next hour, only men came and it looked as if the dance might be a failure. Then they began to come. In a short time the hall was full of cold young people. At last the orchestra started.

There was a scramble for girls and away we went. Every dance caused a race for girls. Due to their scarcity they became articles of value. About midnight we had lunch, which gave a short respite from dancing. After lunch, away we went again. There were quadrilles, fox trots, two-steps and waltzes. It was a giddy whirl.

One of the main features of the evening was the presentation of a gift to bandmaster George Wickens, made by Mr. LePard on behalf of the Boys' Band. When the dance ended about three o'clock, everyone agreed they had just got nicely started."

- High River Times, January 1935