Jubilee street dance revived

Molly Ragsdale has been dancing in the street for almost 30 years.

Except for last year.

Because of budget constraints the annual Miners Jubilee Street Dance did not happen in 2009.

This bothered Ragsdale, who owns the Chamealeon Cafe on Main Street in downtown Baker City.

“The one thing we remember from the Miners Jubilee is the street dance,” she said. “It’s been going on since I was 11 and probably before that,” she said.

She didn’t realize last year that there wasn’t going to be a dance.

Until there wasn’t one.

This year, she is determined to remedy the situation.

For the past week Ragsdale has been seeking donations, asking for volunteer help and searching for a band to play during the event.

Ann Mehaffy, director of Historic Baker City, also would like to see the dance step back to life.

“It is really cute when you see daddies dancing with their little girls,” she said.

Mehaffy said she’s confident that fans of the street dance will help revive the event after its one-year hiatus.

“I think people are willing to do it, if we show a need,” she said.

Ragsdale said, “If we get people who are passionate about this to get involved it will happen. What we are pleading for is anyone who has anything to offer — money-wise, talent-wise or idea-wise — to come forward.”

Mehaffy said she wants to see the dance become more localized, having Baker City bands playing music while dancers strut their stuff.

“We want to grow the event into a home-grown event,” she said.

The possibility of having the event become localized could trim the price tag, too.

In 2008 the Baker County Chamber of Commerce had to organize a corporate sponsor to pay the bill, which exceeded $600.

Debi Bainter, the Chamber’s executive director, said that last year several people asked why there was no dance during Miners Jubilee.

“It was a real community get-together and many people enjoy it,” she said.

She also said many people have come together this year to make it happen.

“Superior Towing has donated a flatbed truck to use as a stage,” she said.

Ragsdale said she had been successful in finding a local musician to play music while participants dance.

Local musician Frank Carlson has committed to performing. However, Ragsdale said money is still needed to make sure he is paid for his time.

Carlson is known in Baker City for playing ’50s and ’60s rock ’n’ roll. He even won an American Idol type contest in Reno.

Ragsdale said Carlson also does an amazing Elvis impersonation.

As of Thursday, she had raised $50 of Carlson’s $200 fee.

Bainter said, “One way or another, there is going to be a street dance.”

Ragsdale also said she would like to see the event grow larger for next year.

“I would like it to be an all afternoon, all evening event,” she said. “I think we can make big plans for this to be a really big event for the community.”

Anyone interested in donating or volunteering can call Mehaffy at 541-523-5442.