In the summer of 1976, three couples (Roy & Camille Rakowitz, John & Shirley Schmitt, and Mr. & Mrs. Julius Tupa) felt that the Ganado area could support a square dance club.  Fred Goynes was asked to become the Caller.  The first open house was held with two couples attending.  Undaunted, another open house was scheduled, and another….until there was enough for a class.

!!!!A CLUB WAS BORN!!!!

On November 3, 1976, the Mustang Squares dance club was officially named and the first slate of officers elected were: President Roy & Camille Rakowitz; Vice President, Philip & Sandra Green; Secretary, John & Shirley Schmitt; Treasurer, Jerry & Faye Bassman.  At this meeting it was decided to retain Fred Goynes as club caller at $20.00 per night, adopt black and white as club colors, set dues at $3.75 per person and rent the American Legion Hall for $30.00 per night.  The first “Ganado” Mustang Squares graduating class were:  Jerry & Faye Bassman, Gene & Darla Bollinger, Claude & Bonnie Freeman, Phillip & Sandra Green, William & Theresa McCaig, Melvin & Hazel Selph, Red Hensley, Mitch & Molly Boepple, Millard & Lucille Brisbois, Bobby & Charlene Girndt, Billy & Karen Hahn, Gerald & Marie Newell, and Royce Young.

The first year was an eventful one, containing many “firsts” that became yearly traditions.  In January we started another class which graduated after 15 lessons, thus swelling our membership to 56 people.  We also started dancing every week (we were dancing every other week).  We attended our first State Festival, enjoyed our first “Bay” Party, and in October we had the unique experience of dancing on our first float in the Jackson County Parade.  The first float was a flatbed trailer with no sides!!!  In November we held our first anniversary dance with Phil Lester and Fred Goynes calling.  Our first “Special dance” the Mustang Stampede was started in 1980 with Allen (Boss man) Garrett calling.

Square dance clubs are known for partying at the drop of a hat and the Mustangs are no exception.  Some of our activities include many after parties and swimming parties; ice cream, Christmas, Easter, St Patrick’s, Valentine, and Halloween parties, with no doubt countless pounds of food being consumed.  By 1982 we had ventured away from home base, dancing at Chicken Fests, Bay Fests, Sausage Fests, Shrimp Fests, State and National Festivals, Crossroads Dances, Fish Fries, Chili Cook-off, Rice Harvest Dances, Cotton Tromps, and yes even Colorado’s Fun Valley.

Yes the Mustang Squares have had quite a history.  We have been fortunate to have had the support of our Wonderful caller, Fred Goynes and his lovely wife Kim, our wonderful neighboring clubs who always come out and support our special events, and our own members who just plain work together to get things done.

We no longer dance in Ganado, but we still have lots of fun at our new location in Brackenridge Plantation Park on Lake Texana, across from Lake Texana State Park on Hwy 111S.  Fred Goynes has been our caller for almost 29 years and still does a great job.  Come see for yourself.  We dance every Tuesday evening 7:30 PM- 9:30 PM.