Weekend in Paris Square Dance Festival at Love Civic Center

The Weekend In Paris Square Dance Festival is a Labor Day weekend tradition that draws advanced square dancers from across the United States to the Love Civic Center in Paris, Texas. Now in its 30th year, the festival features Plus and Advanced level dancing with top-tier callers and cuer. Dancers come for the choreography, the community, and the chance to dance multiple sessions over five days in a single venue.

The festival is hosted by the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce and organized by a dedicated team of square dance enthusiasts who have built this event into one of the premier square dance gatherings in the region. Dance levels include Plus and Advanced, with rounds in multiple phases. Special sessions for C-1, Plus DBD, Hex Dancing, Hot Hash, and Intro to A & C round out a packed schedule. Callers include Tony Oxendine, Charlie Robertson, Darryl Lipscomb, Buddy Weaver, and Tim Tyl, with David and Jan Toms serving as cuers.

What to expect

The festival is structured around daily dance sessions that progress through the week. Thursday offers a Trail-In session at a reduced rate, giving dancers who arrive early a warm-up before the full weekend. Friday through Sunday feature multiple sessions each day, with different levels and formats to accommodate a range of experience. The schedule is designed for serious dancers who want maximum floor time, but the atmosphere remains welcoming, social, and community-driven.

For non-dancers or those new to square dancing, the festival is worth experiencing even as a spectator. The Love Civic Center's spacious exhibition hall fills with dancers moving in precise patterns to the caller's instructions, and the level of coordination is impressive to watch. The event also contributes to Paris's Labor Day weekend tourism, filling local hotels and restaurants with visitors who return year after year.

Why this matters for the area

A square dance festival that has run for 30 years is a testament to community organizing and tradition. The Weekend In Paris brings hundreds of visitors to Lamar County each Labor Day, filling hotel rooms and downtown restaurants with dancers who have made Paris an annual destination. For buyers considering acreage or homes in the area, it is another data point in favor of a region that knows how to host, celebrate, and keep traditions alive.

From 3870 County Road 45080, the Love Civic Center is about 20 minutes east. Close enough to walk in for a session and walk out when the music stops, far enough that the quiet of Arthur City is waiting when you get home.