Georgia State Folk Dance

Square Dance

Adopted in 1996

Introduced by J. Max Davis, representing DeKalb County, House Bill No. 1519 was approved March 13, both the House and the Senate to amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated to record "Square dancing is designated as the official Georgia folk dance."

Governor Zell Miller signed the legislation on April 8, 1996 with an effective date of July 1, 1996. By Legislative Act No. 803, square dancing was made the official Georgia folk dance.

Georgia State Folk Dance: Square Dance

Square dancing is the American folk dance which is derived from folk and courtship dances brought to the United States by European immigrants and traces its ancestry to the English country dance and the French ballroom dance. It is called, cued, or prompted to the dancers. It includes squares, rounds, clogging, contra, line, the Virginia reel, and heritage dances. When the pioneers came west, they brought with them a dance called the quadrille, which means square in French. The pioneers liked the simpler term and so the square dance was born. The dance is known for its series of figures and footwork. Dancers are directed by a caller. It is easy to learn, a good form of exercise and fun.

Georgia HB 1519 LC 22 2072
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

1- 1 To amend Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official

1- 2 Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state symbols, so as

1- 3 to designate the official folk dance of the State of

1- 4 Georgia; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

1- 5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

1- 6 Article 3 of Chapter 3 of Title 50 of the Official Code of

1- 7 Georgia Annotated, relating to state symbols, is amended by

1- 8 inserting a new Code section to be designated Code Section

1- 9 50-3-73 to read as follows:

1-10 "50-3-73.

1-11 Square dancing is designated as the official Georgia folk

1-12 dance."

SECTION 2.

1-13 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are

1-14 repealed.

Georgia Law

The law designating Square dancing as the official Georgia state folk dance is found in the Georgia Code, Title 50, Chapter 3, Section 50-3-73.

TITLE 50. State Government.
CHAPTER 3.
ARTICLE 3.
SECTION 50-3-73.

50-3-73. Square dancing is designated as the official Georgia folk dance.