PARKETTES
From the Re-ECHO, December 2005

The St. Louis Park Parkette Organization began in 1956.  Although the organization no longer exists, a 50 year reunion is being planned.  It is scheduled for April 22, 2006 at the Downtown Minneapolis City Center.  The reunion will also include parents and Fan Club members.  For more information, go to www.parkette.org. 

The highlight of the year for the girls who danced for the Parkettes was the trips they took during spring breaks.  The destinations were varied and included Greece, Italy, Venezuela, the Bahamas, Panama, and Hawaii several times.  They often performed for foreign audiences on these trips.

The trips were paid for by the earnings of the Parkettes and the Fan Club.  The Vikings and Lakers paid the Parkette organization for their appearance and performance at the games.  The Parkette parents sold programs at the Viking games for concession commissions.  The girls contributed money from individual jobs such as babysitting.

Being selected as a member of the Parkettes was a commitment that required hard work.  There were two practices a week and the appearance at every Viking home game.  Under the excellent leadership of Fran Libby and then Toni Swiggum, the group developed an excellent reputation for precision dancing and were often invited for other performances, such as the Aquatennial, Stillwater State Prison, and the Fergus Falls State Hospital.

During its existence, many hundreds of girls were in the program.  Most of these girls have moved and changed their names.  The reunion committee is trying to locate as many as possible, but needs help.  If you know of someone who was a Parkette, or a parent of a former Parkete, they are asked to contact Jennifer Davis Newell.

 

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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.