[May 07, 2016]      

Age held no bounds on Friday evening, as not yet in school to past retirement aged male and female alike, took to the dance floor of the American Legion. And it was a step back in time with many of the participants dressing for the 1860's. Young ladies and women wore beautiful hoop-skirted flowing dresses and men were dapper in suits with bow ties or Civil War era uniforms.

The occasion was the 11th Annual Civil War Railsplitter Ball.

The Springfield International Folk Dancers once again were on hand to call the dances and to ease dancers through moves. The considerable crowd learned several new and fun dances during the course of the three-hour evening that flew by one light step and turn at a time.

The Ball, which normally takes place during the National Railsplitting Festival and Contest, was moved forward this year.

The Festival will still take place on the normal dates, September 17 and 18, with a new location, the Postville Courthouse grounds.

Pictures by Jan Youngquist