We Make History: The 2012 Arizona Centennial Ball

The Arizona Centennial Ball - February 11th, 2012 - Phoenix, Arizona

An Official Arizona Centennial Event

1912 - The State of Arizona is Born

Arizona, the 48th and last of the contiguous states has been known as "The Baby State", "The Grand Canyon State" and "The Valentine State" in reference to Arizona's statehood becoming official on Valentine's Day 1912.

Arizona became well known in the national imagination as a land of beautiful sunsets, "Cowboys & Indians", expansive deserts, towering Saguaros and staggering heat. An economy based on the "Five C's" of Copper, Cotton, Citrus, Cattle and Climate (tourism) served Arizona well for many decades. It is well known that Arizona has been the nation's top copper producer. But surprising to many may be the fact that Maricopa County was once the top cotton producing county in the entire United States!

Film makers soon discovered the climate and scenic beauty of Arizona with the result that over the years Arizona has been the location for more movies than any state other than California.

Arizonans, like other Americans, have always liked to dance and there is one form of dancing that has represented our Western Heritage more than any other for at least 150 years. This would be the traditional "barn dance" or "hoe down", a social dance form that has been enjoyed by us Western folks for a long, long time and is perhaps more synonymous with Arizona than any other style.

Pioneers, homesteaders, soldiers, farmers, politicians, ministers, city folks, country folks and indeed all sorts of people wrote in diaries, letters and published articles regarding attending such dances, and the many Western movies of the 1930s-1950s set in Arizona often featured scenes of Western style hoe-downs. Thus the Western theme of our Arizona Centennial Ball!

Of course good dancing is a very joyful experience. As our forebears realized, dancing positively engages the mind, exercises the body and has a wonderful tonic effect on the soul. But there was much more than just the pleasure of dancing to attract participants. Long before television, DVDs, CDs or MP3s, dances were an opportunity to hear and enjoy music. Back when socialization was still a face-to-face experience, dances provided an opportunity to socialize, visit, communicate and share news with others. With cultural expectations of good manners and good behavior, dances were especially an opportunity to polish up and practice the social skills expected of those in "decent company."

On farms and on ranches, and in parlors, gyms and ballrooms, Arizonans of all sections and classes enjoyed any opportunity to shake hands, clap hands, stomp feet and do some lively stepping.

Often no more than a single experienced fiddler was required but a good 3 or 4 piece string band could draw folks in from miles around. Some came on foot or straddling the back of a mule while others pranced on thorougbreds, noisily rolled up in horseless carriages or arrived perched in fashionable buggies. Some wore their homespun “Sunday best” while others wore silken finery. Some came from busy, growing towns while others traveled from distant farms and ranches.

One thing all could be sure of was friendly faces, warm smiles, a well-tuned fiddle and some fine lively dancing.

The Arizona Centennial Ball

Our house band "Fiddlin' Jeff & The Centennials kept us all hoppin' like Jackrabbits and Cottontails!

Letters from Friends

Dear Colonel Scott,

Wow, what an amazing event! The dancing was great, and the atmosphere lively. It was by far, one of the best dances I've ever been to! Thank you so much for all the work you do so that these events can take place! May God bless you and your family!

-Your humble servant,

Cpl. M

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This was one of the best balls I have ever been to. The guests at every ball are always inviting, kind, and friendly folks, but I felt this ball had the most welcoming crowd. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the statehood anniversary of Arizona and to show how even the copper miners, cotton growers, climate enthusiasts, citrus growers, and cattle ranchers of this state can be as courteous as citizens of any other state. I appreciate the lively fiddling group who were willing to adapt their songs to be more "Arizonian" and were willing to share their talents with us. Thank you Lord Scott (and family) for putting this enjoyable ball together.

Linnea

Sahuarita, AZ

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My Dearest Col. Scott,

One week removed from the Arizona Centennial Ball, and I still treasure the happy memories. Each ball now is more like a huge family gathering than a ball, but with new members always stepping onto the floor. And as always, whether they have been dancing with us for five years or five minutes, they are always welcome.

May GOD Continue To Bless You And Your Family!

Your Humble Servant And Friend,
Christopher

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Col. Scott,

I had a splendid time at the ball and was delighted to meet so many new people who were attending the WMH balls. I was also delighted in the lighting which was a great help to my camera. I am still attempting to recover from the night of enjoyment.

Michael C.

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We hope to attend more events you organize! The Centennial Square Dance was wonderful. Thank you.

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Dear friends,

I can't think of a better group of people to have shared the celebration of Arizona's Centennial with than all of you who gathered for our Arizona Centennial Ball.

We have been blessed with much in Arizona. Not only do we have "The Five "C"s" but we have all of you! Deserts and forests, mountains, valleys, rivers and streams, saguaros and pines.... there is so much beauty here.

100 years have come and gone for the state of Arizona and God has blessed our state. Now we must ask, "What of the next 100 years and what responsibilities do each of us have?" "How can we make a positive impact in our own time so that 100 years from now Arizonans will be able to celebrate the state bicentennial with joy, satisfaction and a healthy sense of pride and accomplishment?"

These are things to think about!

For us, we shall continue with the mission of We Make History and bring uplifting and inspirational education to all that we can!

This Spring we plan to hold at least three events coming up for your edification and pleasure. They are a living history day in Flagstaff March 10th, our 12th annual Civil War Ball March 24th, 2012 in Mesa and Dolly Madison's Ball April 28th, 2012 in Phoenix, an elegant evening set in Regency times.

We are also continuing to accept new recruits into our family-friendly reenacting group. Ladies and gentlemen of all ages are welcome and we have all the equipment necessary to train gentlemen to represent Civil War soldiers of both North & South. We have a training day coming up in March so email us if interested!

I'd like to mention something I had mentioned at the Ball.

We know that the economy has been hard on so many of our We Make History families and this has hurt attendance at all of our events. Having said this, we greatly appreciate those of you who save and set aside and continue participating in our ticketed events such as the Historic Balls. We will also continue holding as many free and "donation box" educational events as we can such as living history days and various workshops. Again, we appreciate you greatly and desire to continue forward in service to as many as we are able. Thank you for your prayers, involvement and support!

I remain

your servant

in a noble cause.

From out West....

Col. Scott

Please also see our “Etiquette & Expectations” page as well as our "All About Us" page.

www.WeMakeHistory.com

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