They come from 49 states and nine foreign countries, and they come here to dance. More than 5,200 dancers are expected to participate in the 61st National Square Dance Convention, which begins at the Convention Center today and runs through Saturday, sharing one day with Hoopfest. “We get quite a number of late registrations, so we may make it to 6,000 dancers,” said Don Pruitt, general chairman of the convention together with his wife, Cheryl Pruitt. The convention is organized by the Washington Square and Folk Dance Federation and features square dancing, round dancing, line dancing, clogging and some folk dancing. “It’s a very active group,” said Pruitt/Pia Hallenberg, SR. More here. (Tyler Tjomsland SR photo: Jeanne Cozad, of Pasco, smiles as she pins on her ID badge with her husband, Jim Cozad, before the start of the 61st National Square Dance Convention)

Question: Do you know how to square dance?