The Square & Round Dancers of South Western Ontario are the proud hosts of this Convention that will be held in the heart of downtown London, July 17, 18, 19, 2008. The tentative program includes Squares: Basic to C3 (8 different levels of square dancing). Round Dancing: Ph ase II & III, Phase III, IV & V, and finally Phase V & VI. Clogging: Basic to Advanced. Contras, Line Dancing and Wheel chair Squares. We will be using the Convention Centre, YMCA and the Ball Room at the Hilton Hotel, which is attac hed to the Convention Centre. All facilities are fully wheel chair accessible, and are Fully Air-Conditioned. The sound has been checked and was found excellent. Snap-lock flooring is being placed over the carpets for comfortable dancing. The floors at the YMCA are hard w ood. Healthy snack food will be availa ble in both buildings.

This is a very important room as it will have historic displays from all our 51 Clubs. Each Club will have a 2 x 4 foot display board to put their club history on - written history as well as picutres, and much more. There will also be a display of Convention Dolls. These do lls are dressed in the O fficial Convention o utfits represen ting all of our 16 Conventions. The upcoming 17th Convention Dolls w ill also be on display. This is a very special room and a must visit for everyone going to the Convention.Shops:

There will be venders selling squ are dance cloth ing and shoes, also venders w ith square dance jewlery and much more. This is also a very popular place for the Ladies and even some of the Men.

The Fashion Show will be presented in the upscale, tiered 300 seat Theatre of the Convention Centre on Friday July 18, 2008 at 5:00pm. The Committee have something very special planned for this event. If you have a home sewen outfit that you would like to model in the fashion show please look for the entry form on our Festival Web Site: www.swosda.ca/2008 or e-mail Liz Dickens at ldickens@sympatico.ca. We welcome families, couples or singles as models. New trends in square dance and round dance fashions are evolving.

New trends in square dance and round dance fashions are evolving. Prairie Skirts and Peasnat Blouses will be included along with traditional square dance attire. We are now accepting entries. All form s must be received prior to Jun e 16, 2008 in order to be included in the show. Tickets will be on sale for those wishing to view the show. The Worship Service: The Worship Service w ill be held at First - St. An drew ’s United Ch urch (just 2 blocks from the Convention Centre) on Saturday July 19. 2008 at 4:00pm. The Church will be open at 3:00pm for dancers who wish to preview this beautiful historic building. Offerings will be given to First - St. Andrew ’s for their Outreach Programs. All those interested in being part of the Choir, or individual participation, or w ishing to p lay an instrument, please con tact Organist & C hoir Direstor Dan Weatherby at e-mail d.weatherby@sympatico.ca or mail: 260 Winston Blvd., Cambridge, Ontario N3C 1M5. T here w ill be a lower hall ava ilable for the organist & choir to practice at 3:00pm. Dan is a Caller in the Kitchener area.

Marilyn Bond will be our Sewing Clinic Leader. Marilyn has four clinics planned of 1 1/2 hours each. The Clinics will cover 4 differnt skirt styles, 4 different skirt layouts, Accessorize ideas and Technique Trivia. Prior to becoming an Authorized Educator for Pfaff Sewing Machines in Canada, Marilyn and her husband Lionel owned and operated a sewing store in Brantford, Ontario for 14 years. Marilyn has conducted many workshops at Square Dance functions in Canada and the United States.

We are planning an outdoor Banner Parade which will take place on Thursday Morning July 17th. along with a square dance demo. This will be a very impressive display with the dancers parading in their lovely squ are dance ou tfits and carrying their colou rful Banners.