Narrandera hosted the Annual Big Country Hoedown Line Dance Competitions recently at the Narrandera Ex-servicemen’s Club, which is one of the event’s major sponsors since it transferred to Narrandera in 2017.
These annual events started off with a fabulous Welcome Social at the Exies.
Event directors Paul McQueen and Ian Trembath said it was excellent to see so many competitors and families turn up to the welcome – all of them anticipating the Hoedown that was to start early the next morning.
“Everyone was so excited. Competitors and friends, as in previous years, were glad to be able to support the on-site Blue Apron Steakhouse restaurant run by Corey Hammond for meals during the three-day event. Great food and wonderful, friendly staff,” said Ian.
Competition started early on the Saturday morning. The Big Country Hoedown consists of two major competitions. The first is an Age range Standard Line Dancing competition either in a non-waltz or a waltz form of dance. This was divided through many age ranges from under 10 years to 60 years and over.
There were also family, mentor and students, open age, and individuals dancing in solo, duo, trio, and group sections.
The second competition called the Hoedown Showdown was a knockout style competition.
Both competitions were well supported with over 80 competitors.
First placing results are given in the Table attached. It covers all sections. Congratulations go to all participants, from those winning individual sections, those coming in second and third places and all others competing.
The level of sportsmanship was amazing. Every year Ian and I are stunned at the regard and respect competitors have for one another,” said Paul.
Winners of the 2023 Hoedown Showdown Senior Division 3.1 were Darren Bell and Adrian Lefebour. They shared the $700 first prize as well as received a gold medal each.
Winners of the 2023 Hoedown Showdown Senior Division 3.2 were Grace Cook and Stephanie Perry.
Hoedown Showdown Juniors’ first place was won by Morgan Hurley and Heath Hurley. The Junior winners received $300 first prize as well as a gold medal each.
The BCH team again this year did a marvellous job of conducting many tasks. Compering by Darren Mitchell, music by John Meijer, and keeping the judges honest were the scoring team of Pat Klein, Michelle Palmer and Alicia Robb and the judge’s team of Cynthia Rennolds, Annie Bradbury, Julie Hearne and Robert Fletcher.
Any competition or basically any event only succeeds with individuals that see a task that needs to be done and are not afraid to “jump in” and help.
Among those noted were Robyn Owens, Leanne Perry, many parents as wardrobe assistant mums and dads, childcare nannies, those helping to set up the auditorium plus the club staff.
“We were very chuffed by everyone’s efforts and how politely and patiently they handled the length of the day. We were totally whacked by the time we arrived home at 2am so we could imagine how everyone one else felt,” said Paul and Ian.
“It was a great day. Loved the competitors, loved the routines, loved the efforts put into costumes and their design. Well done everyone.”
The 2024 competition will be held July 26-28 and organisers thanked the sponsors who made the events possible.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 5 October 2023.
