Somewhere, high up on Mentone, dancers twirl. And yes, right there in magical Mentone, butterflies do whirl.
The dance weekend is coming soon and below a wondrous Mentone moon, the stars will shine.
Where gnats are boxed and arms are locked and dancers wear outrageous socks and smile and form long lines.
So, please come, on up to Mentone, your dancing friends await. You can register right now for Mentone.
Please, oh please, don’t be late.
If butterflies do right and left through on Mentone’s dance floor why, or why won’t you?
We’ll have music from Turnip The Beet with Christie Burns and The Yellow Dandies, calling from Cis Hinkle and Chet Gray. In addition we have planned our usual smorgasbord of extracurricular activities - a concert by the Yellow Dandies, Qigong, Tai Chi, skits/drama, swing dance workshop, late night swing dancing, swimming, jamming, gospel singing!
So register now and follow the yellow brick road to Mentone
Aug. 15-17, 2025..
- Turnip the Beet with Christie Burns
The Yellow Dandies
Cis Hinkle and Chet Gray
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Events
We pack a lot into Mentone!
The main events include four scheduled contra dances to Cis Hinkle's and Chet Gray's calling in Camp DeSoto's beautiful dance hall. Dance to the driving music of Turnip the Beet on Friday Night, Saturday night, Sunday Morning, and to the Yellow Dandies on Saturday morning.
But the fun doesn't end there.
On Saturday our organized activities include Qigong with Christin Wittington, Tai Chi with Stephen Guesman, a swing dance workshop with Ben Dill, our Mentone skit time led by Tom Gordon, a can't miss concert by The Yellow Dandies, and a late night swing dance with music provided by Ben Dill, On Sunday morning prior to the morning dance, enjoy gospel singing led by Janet Shepherd followed by waltzing in the dance hall while we set up for the contra dance.
All weekend long unorganized activities include swimming in the beautiful pool during designated hours, hiking, napping, spontaneous jam sessions .....
We pack a lot into Mentone!
The main events include four scheduled contra dances to Cis Hinkle's and Chet Gray's calling in Camp DeSoto's beautiful dance hall. Dance to the driving music of Turnip the Beet on Friday Night, Saturday night, Sunday Morning, and to the Yellow Dandies on Saturday morning.
But the fun doesn't end there.
On Saturday our organized activities include Qigong with Christin Wittington, Tai Chi with Stephen Guesman, a swing dance workshop with Ben Dill, our Mentone skit time led by Tom Gordon, a can't miss concert by The Yellow Dandies, and a late night swing dance with music provided by Ben Dill, On Sunday morning prior to the morning dance, enjoy gospel singing led by Janet Shepherd followed by waltzing in the dance hall while we set up for the contra dance.
All weekend long unorganized activities include swimming in the beautiful pool during designated hours, hiking, napping, spontaneous jam sessions .....
Schedule
Read on to access the weekend schedule. As we get closer to the weekend details may change. You can arrive as early as 3:00 PM CDT on Friday, August 15, and must check out by 1:00 PM CDT on August 17. In between we will have loads of fun.
Read on to access the weekend schedule. As we get closer to the weekend details may change. You can arrive as early as 3:00 PM CDT on Friday, August 15, and must check out by 1:00 PM CDT on August 17. In between we will have loads of fun.
Lodging
Your registration fee includes on-site lodging. We cannot offer a discount for those who lodge or camp off-site. Continue reading for a description of lodging options.
On Site
Camp DeSoto provides clean n0n-air conditioned cabins each equipped with multiple beds, power, ceiling fans, and box fans. Some, but not all, have their own restrooms. Each cabin has convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with showers and restrooms,. Feel free to bring your own box fans, floor fans, etc.. Normally, we experience comfortable nighttime temperatures.
Off Site
You have many options for lodging off site within a fifteen minute drive from Camp DeSoto. A search for lodging in that area turns up several possibilities such as Andiano Lodge, Mentone Inn Bed and Breakfast, Mentone Cabins, Bee on the Brow Bed and Breakfast, DeSoto State Park, and others. You will also find listings with Vrbo and Airbnb. Get your reservations soon, Mentone area lodgings often book up early for the summer!
Your registration fee includes on-site lodging. We cannot offer a discount for those who lodge or camp off-site. Continue reading for a description of lodging options.
On Site
Camp DeSoto provides clean n0n-air conditioned cabins each equipped with multiple beds, power, ceiling fans, and box fans. Some, but not all, have their own restrooms. Each cabin has convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with showers and restrooms,. Feel free to bring your own box fans, floor fans, etc.. Normally, we experience comfortable nighttime temperatures.
Off Site
You have many options for lodging off site within a fifteen minute drive from Camp DeSoto. A search for lodging in that area turns up several possibilities such as Andiano Lodge, Mentone Inn Bed and Breakfast, Mentone Cabins, Bee on the Brow Bed and Breakfast, DeSoto State Park, and others. You will also find listings with Vrbo and Airbnb. Get your reservations soon, Mentone area lodgings often book up early for the summer!
Camping
On Site
Camp DeSoto has limited space for both tent and vehicle camping (no hook-ups, no generators or campfires allowed). We will have a grassy field available for tent camping (no vehicles) and a parking lot for vehicle/RV camping. The tent camping is located near the main activity areas whereas the parking lot is near the pool but a little more remote from the dance hall, dining hall, and bathhouses. If you plan to camp on site, then please indicate so on the registration form so we can get a headcount.
Off Site
Off site camping choices include Tranquility RV and Campground, Desoto State Park. and 1776 RV and Campground.
On Site
Camp DeSoto has limited space for both tent and vehicle camping (no hook-ups, no generators or campfires allowed). We will have a grassy field available for tent camping (no vehicles) and a parking lot for vehicle/RV camping. The tent camping is located near the main activity areas whereas the parking lot is near the pool but a little more remote from the dance hall, dining hall, and bathhouses. If you plan to camp on site, then please indicate so on the registration form so we can get a headcount.
Off Site
Off site camping choices include Tranquility RV and Campground, Desoto State Park. and 1776 RV and Campground.
Meals
All dancers must provide for their own meals for Friday night and Saturday lunch. You have the option of bringing your food in coolers, etc, and/or eating in nearby restaurants.. Your registration includes Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast, with much of the food coming from the Camp DeSoto organic farm. We do not offer a discount if you provide these meals for yourself. Make sure you specify your dietary restrictions on the registration form.
All dancers must provide for their own meals for Friday night and Saturday lunch. You have the option of bringing your food in coolers, etc, and/or eating in nearby restaurants.. Your registration includes Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast, with much of the food coming from the Camp DeSoto organic farm. We do not offer a discount if you provide these meals for yourself. Make sure you specify your dietary restrictions on the registration form.
Showers and Restrooms
Some of the cabins include restrooms, but no showers. All cabins have convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with both shower and restroom facilities.
Some of the cabins include restrooms, but no showers. All cabins have convenient access to at least one of several bathhouses equipped with both shower and restroom facilities.
Vendors
As at past Mentone weekends, we will have Vendors selling beautiful items next to the dance hall. If you desire to sell something yourself, send a note to [email protected] and we will put our vendor co-coordinator Naomi Anderegg in touch with you.
As at past Mentone weekends, we will have Vendors selling beautiful items next to the dance hall. If you desire to sell something yourself, send a note to [email protected] and we will put our vendor co-coordinator Naomi Anderegg in touch with you.
You may want to check out videos from past Mentone dance weekends.