DANCE AND DRILL TEAMS

This information is sketchy at best - there may have been many other such groups.  Please contact us if you know of them.

The Parkettes got their start when three girls from Park High watched a performance by the Roosevelt Rockettes in Minneapolis in the spring of 1956. They came to Fran Libby for leadership, and the Parkettes were formed in the fall of 1956 with 18 girls. It was the first suburban dance line in the Twin Cities. In 1960, the Parkettes also made up the Lakerettes and went on to be cheerleaders to the Vikings. Libby chose the girls, and did all the choreography and costume design. In 1961, the Parkettes were the official cheerleaders for the Minnesota Vikings, a role they played into the 1980’s.

This is a shot of the 1959 Lakerettes
 

On April 10, 1964, the Parkettes hosted the River City Talent Tournament at the Minneapolis Auditorium. Professional acts included Jimmie Rodgers and the Big Three, a group from Greenwich Village featuring Cass Elliot. The Castaways placed first in the rock and roll category, beating out the Blazemen from North High. Their prize was $50.


Fran Libby died in February 1970 at age 53 while the girls were on spring break in Hawaii. Carol Wexler, a former Parkette, acted as interim leader until the Parents’ Board chose Toni Swiggum. In 1975 the girls numbered 40. It was in December 1975 that the troupe held a 20 year reunion, organized by Parkette mother Barbara Davis. The many costumes of the dance line were made by Mrs. Richard Gibbs. By 1977, the troupe knew 250 routines.

The Parkettes performed for more than sports teams, as evidence by its performance at the Cooper Theater in June 1976 for a preview of the movie “That’s Entertainment, Part 2.”

The Parkettes held a 50 year reunion in 2006.  For a complete history, see their web site at www.parkettes.org

For more on the Parkettes, see:

Re-ECHO, Fall 2005
Re-ECHO, December 2005
Re-ECHO, Summer 2006

The Parkettes, 1965

The Pomperettes was a dance team that was formed in 1956 and included St. Louis Park High graduates.  The group  performed at U of M sports events.  The idea was taken from a similar group at Berkeley. The team was discontinued in 1963.
 

The St. Louis Park Precisionairres were established in 1971. In 1972 they won the Minnesota State Juvenile Corp. Championship.

The Pirateers were affiliated with the VFW.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.