The Lincoln Tadpoles

FARMINGTON — Sixty years ago, a 10- and 11-yearold square dance group called the Lincoln Tadpoles enjoyed dancing at the Clothesline Fair and in several area parades.

Loyd Hawley of Prairie Grove was a member of the group and said square dancing always had been a part of his early years growing up.

“In the country, you would just go to someone’s house and clean out the living room and dance,” Hawley said.

Hawley’s parents and another couple were in charge of the Saturday dance at the American Legion in Lincoln and that’s where Hawley learned to dance.

His favorite dances still are the two-step and square dancing.

Hawley, 70, danced with the Tadpoles for two years before dancing with another square dance group out of Prairie Grove. He continued square dancing at the Clothesline Fair through his senior year in high school in 1966.

The Tadpoles were sponsored by Lincoln Riding Club and American Legion. Their caller was James Irwin. In addition to the Clothesline Fair, the Tadpoles danced in the grand entry for Lincoln Rodeo and the Fourth of July parade in Springdale.

Hawley said he believes square dancing has stayed around because it’s been a part of the culture of the United States from day one.

“It’s a form of celebration and a chance to get together,” Hawley said.

He still likes to dance when he gets the chance.

“Music inspires me to dance and a good-looking woman doesn’t hurt.”

“Music inspires me to dance and a goodlooking woman doesn’t hurt.” Loyd Hawley Lincoln Tadpoles

SUBMITTED PHOTO This is a square dance group from 1961. Loyd Hawley of Lincoln organized this group and was the caller for the group. Variations of this group danced together in 1963, ’64 and ’65.

COURTESY PHOTO The Lincoln Tadpoles square dance group was together as a team for two years in the 1950s. Here they are dancing in the Springdale Fourth of July Parade in 1957. The Tadpoles were sponsored by Lincoln Riding Club and The American Legion.