Classes are available for all levels of clogging for ages 3 years and up. The class season begins in September and runs through May. Classes meet once a week and are held at the Youth Canteen which is located at 1620 Middleton Street. Registration is held each August. Students have fun learning clogging steps and dances, circle figures, and clogging terminology. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at the Christmas clogging program at Stevenson Auditorium, nursing homes, the Orangeburg Festival of Roses, and the year-end clogging recital at Stevenson Auditorium. Celeste Smith instructs and directs the clogging program. She has been teaching clogging since 1985 and has performed at the “Grand Ole Opry” in Nashville and with the Palmetto State Cloggers. She has been instructing with the City of Orangeburg Parks & Recreation Department for over 25 years, and she continues to attend workshops to keep current with popular trends in clogging.
Class Descriptions
Preclogging 3-4 years
For young children just getting started, this half-hour class is designed to help tiny tots develop their motor skills and ability to keep time with the music! This is a fun class that mixes a variety of activities and preclogging steps and moves to build a student’s confidence. 30-minute class.
Young Beginners 5-6 years
This class is for those just getting started in clogging and includes children who have had pre-clogging. Children will participate in fun activities designed to develop coordination and ability to keep time with the music. This young beginner’s class will include the same fun activities done in preclogging class, in addition to introduction to several of the basic clogging steps. Cloggers grow as they are encouraged to remember the step sequences in their dances, know left/right direction, and count the steps. 45-minute class. ~Returning 6-7 year olds—This class is especially for returning young cloggers who have completed two years of the 5-6 year old class. It will include cloggers who may have had just one year of the 5-6 year old class and have mastered the combinations taught. We will review the steps learned in the spring and move forward from there. This class will not include any students new to clogging. 45-minute class.
Beginners 7-12 years
The beginners will learn the basic steps of clogging, clogging terminology, and traditional circle figures. This class includes a variety of fun activities and music designed to develop coordination and ability to keep time with the music. 45-minute class.
Intermediate Classes
There are several different intermediate level classes offered. The instructors will determine which class best suits each child. Cloggers do not necessarily stay with the same class each year. Cloggers grow as performers as they work on showmanship and precision, and are introduced to buck-style clogging as more advanced steps are taught. Classes learn routines, which represent a wide range of styles and music. Skills, behavior, and age are all considered on an individual basis for class placement. Keep in mind that the number of years of experience does not necessarily determine the clogger’s skill level. 45-minute class.
Senior Bingo
Senior Bingo is held on Wednesday mornings in the months of January, March, May, September, and November. Seniors, ages 50 and over, are invited to attend. This event is held at 8:30am on scheduled mornings at the Youth Canteen on Middleton Street. There is no charge, and no registration is required.
Orangeburg Princess of Roses Pageant
Held annually the first weekend in March, the Orangeburg Princess of Roses Pageant is open to contestants throughout the state of South Carolina ages 4-16. There are five age divisions in the Pageant, and a winner, first, and second runner-up will be chosen in each division. There is also a Photogenic Competition for contestants who wish to enter one or more photographs. A winner and runner-up will be chosen in each of the Princess Photogenic age divisions. The Pageant reserves the right to combine age divisions if deemed necessary.
Applications are available at the City of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department and the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce. Entry fee is $40 for the Pageant, $10 for the first photograph in the Photogenic Competition, and $5 for additional photographs in the Photogenic Competition. To receive an application call (803) 533-6020
The Orangeburg Princess of Roses Pageant is sponsored by the Orangeburg Festival of Roses and 100.3 WORG FM.
Orangeburg Queen of Roses Pageant
Held the first weekend in March, the Orangeburg Queen of Roses Pageant is open to contestants throughout the state of South Carolina who meet the eligibility requirements of being 17-22 years old, have never been married or pregnant, is a full-time college or university student as of the 2015 fall semester who is either a resident of South Carolina or is attending a South Carolina college or university. The reigning queen will not be allowed to compete the year following her reign.
Contestants compete in Sportswear, Talent, and Evening Gown/On-Stage Question.
Awards include:
Orangeburg Queen of Roses shall receive a sash, crown, trophy, and $1,500 scholarship. First Runner-Up shall receive a trophy and $750 scholarship. Second Runner-Up shall receive a trophy and $500 scholarship. Talent Competition Winner shall receive a trophy and $500 scholarship.
Applications are available at the City of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department and the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce. Entry fee is $40 for the Pageant.
The Orangeburg Queen of Roses Pageant is sponsored by the Orangeburg Festival of Roses and 100.3 WORG FM.
Senior Games
Orangeburg Senior Games is held annually in October at the Orangeburg County Council on Aging. Any person aged 50 or older is eligible to participate. The goals of this event is to maintain and improve the health of older adults; provide a competitive athletic and recreational experience that focuses on the importance of exercise; provide an opportunity for socialization for older adults in our state; and to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens. We offer passive events along with active events so there is something offered for all senior adults. For more information on the Orangeburg Senior Games, please call (803)533-6020.
