People got into the Halloween spirit at the monthly Botha Old Tyme Dance afternoon, held on Sunday, Oct. 30.
The dance, which asked people to either come in costume or in orange and black shades, had about 75 people come in, Doug Haustein, one of the primary organizers of the dances, said.
The number was a bit higher than average, but the numbers so far this season have gone up from previous years, and Haustein said he hopes the higher numbers are indication of a resurgence in a love of dance.
The Country Gentlemen provided tunes for the afternoon, their covers of old country hits and staples giving dancers ample opportunity to try out their waltzes, square dances and jigs.
The event drew more younger people than what is usual, Haustein said, something he explained was likely due to the Halloween costume atmosphere.
Despite that, he said he hoped they would be back again.
"We've got people from all over Alberta," Haustein said. "Eckville, Red Deer, Drumheller, Edmonton, Camrose ... just a big radius of people."
The dancers build friendships that exist outside of the monthly dance, with people who may otherwise not move in the same circles finding excuses to meet up in nearby communities, or other dances, throughout the year.
The monthly dance, which happens on the final Sunday of the month, features a few hours of dancing before a potluck meal and social time, before dancers take to the floor to dance away the rest of the afternoon.
Each dance has a different theme, which is announced ahead of time through the Botha Booster column and through word-of-mouth. Excepting the summer months when people go on vacation, the event is, like clockwork, occupying the Botha Community Hall.
"It's nice to see everyone coming out," Haustein said.