Cripple Creek Cloggers, in their 58th year of teaching and performing Appalachian-style square dancing with a clogging step, welcome all those interested to sessions on Sundays at 4 p.m., Smyrna Senior Activity Center, 100 Raikes St., Smyrna. Specific dates in the immediate future are January 11, 18, 25 and February 1,15, 22. There is no charge and no dance experience is necessary.
The local troupe was organized at Kittrell School in 1967 as a 4-H Share the Fun activity. Steve Cates, teacher at Kittrell, used his previous 4-H experience to lead this group – and is still director.
In 1982, the troupe, along with many community supporters and volunteers, organized International Folkfest. It was the first U.S. festival under the banner of the Council for the International Organization of Folkloric Festivals (CIOFF). Now, in their 44th year, International Folkfest will, during June 7-14, 2026, host international troupes from Croatia, Germany and France. Cripple Creek Cloggers continue as the host troupe.
Generally, Cripple Creek Cloggers travel at least once a year to represent the U.S. in international folkloric festivals in various countries around the world. In 2024, for instance, they were in Czech Republic; in 2025, they were in Portugal. They are currently deciding whether they will accept an invitation from Bosnia, Croatia, Bulgaria or Poland in 2026.
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