Lone Star Street Dance Rocks Historic Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, TX -- It was a perfect evening this past Saturday night, as a crowd of over 1,500 came from all directions taking Historic Montgomery’s downtown parking lot by storm to set up a wonderful evening of dancing that had feet young and old boot scootin’ across the pavement. They were grooving to music that had heads, shoulders, knees and toes moving to country sounds at the first Lone Star Street Dance of the year in the city. People started showing at 5pm for the best seating in the parking lot next to Jacob’s Reality for the start of festivities running from 6-10pm.

The Lone Star Street Dance is a destination for line dancers, seasoned or novice, and even several dance groups were on hand to showcase their talents. Even the little cheese shop that could, Slice of Amish, got in the game, by raffling off a 50 inch television, all of which to enter was just a $10 purchase or more at the store located on the square.

The Street Dance had been postponed two weeks due to weather concerns on February 10th, and rightfully so, but the evening of the 24th yielded perfect weather with the temps dropping ever so slightly to cool off the dancers after each trip around the floor. The music was provided by DJ Kev, and started with a half-hour line dancing lesson given by line dancing coach Amanda Cook. The class was followed by the Lil’ Wranglers, a very well versed and outstanding dancing organization, of young dancers and their partners that thrilled the crowd, and garnered a vigorous applause after their performances.

The Lil’ Wranglers started 25 years ago in College Station, modeled after the Aggie Wranglers western exhibition dance group from Texas A&M, of which Lil’ Wranglers founder Sharon Toups, ‘89, was an alumna. She started her dance group in 1999, teaching kids from 5 - 18, performing signature stylized country & western jitterbug and swing dance moves that entertain. The organization has since grown to teach dance to students in Tomball, Grapevine, and Waxahachie.

Following the Lil’ Wranglers, the Elite Wranglers mesmerized the crowd with their flips, dips and lifts. The Lil’ and Elite Wranglers as a community service group, strive to keep our style of dance alive and well. The groups have won many honors, and performed all over the country, going to the Inaugural Presidential Parade in 2017, and in Branson, Las Vegas, to performing on the high seas.

“It’s such a fun family atmosphere,” said Holly Miller, from Montgomery, who was attending with her daughters Bryntly and Chloe. “We enjoyed all the great dancers and the entertainment provided.”

There were several comments about the need for some temporary lighting to better illuminate the dancing area, mostly for better pictures when the Wranglers were performing. The crowd was very excited throughout the event. Following the dancing displays, the attendees started to make their moves known, with great displays of their skills. There were still people showing up two hours into the event.

“It’s really a focus to serve the community and involve families,“ said Stephanie Fox, the daughter of City Council Member Cheryl Fox, and founder of the Lone Star Street Dance back in August 2022. “I got the idea from a trip to Garner State Park, and we are planning a mid-May dance and one in November in partnership with the city.”

Montgomery City Events Coordinator, Patricia Campuzano, did an excellent job in getting everything ready for the street dance. Slish of Amish did a brisk business during the hoedown, sometimes having the ice cream line out the door. Bar & Vines was busy as well. Nearing 9pm, Angie Miller, General Manager of Slish of Amish, brought out the tickets to choose the winner of the television being offered on raffle. A lady named Joyce won the television, then went right back on the dance floor.

“We’ve had a lot of people come out from near and far,” said Capuzano. “I was pleased that it all came together with everyone enjoying all the dancing, and am already looking forward to the next street dance in the spring.”

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net