Melrose Dust N Dance Hoedown brings line dancing fun to SA

Melrose gets set to boot-scoot as South Australia hosts the 2025 Dust N Dance Hoedown

Melrose is dusting off its dancing boots, with the town set to host the Melrose Dust N Dance Hoedown on Saturday, November 15 at Melrose Showgrounds.

The one-off event is the latest chapter in the Hoedowns for Country Towns story. Co-founders Kate Strong and Claire Harris ran 75 bootscooting events across Australia in 2022, raising almost $40,000 for rural charities. Since then, the pair have each started their own line dance businesses – Kate with Hope In My Boots in Cunderdin, WA, and Claire with Footloose Fun in Brisbane, Qld. But once a year, they reunite to bring the Hoedown spirit back for one big night of country fun.

Kate said Melrose had impressed them with its nomination to host the South Australian event.

“We enjoyed reading Melrose’s nomination to be the host town for our 2025 event, and we’re so excited to be working with the community to bring some bootscooting fun to the town,” she said.

She added that while they’re keen to meet plenty of Melrose locals, they’re also hoping people from across the Mid North and further afield will grab their hats and head along.

“It’s a not-to-be-missed night of community connection and dancing.”

Dust off the boots, don’t worry about the steps

If you’ve ever managed the Nutbush, you’ve already done a line dance. Claire said the night was about having fun, not getting every step right.

“People are often tentative to give line dancing a go, but nine times out of ten, they’ve already done it – the Nutbush is a line dance after all, and plenty of line dances are far easier than that,” she said.
“It doesn’t take long to realise that no one really minds, or notices, if you mess up a step. Fun is the number one priority, and as long as people are laughing, smiling and having a good time, that’s all that matters to us.”

Throughout the evening, beginners will be guided through easy line dances, with demonstrations, raffles, awards and a hearty two-course meal all on the program. Local band Hold My Beer will keep the crowd two-stepping well into the night.

A cause worth dancing for

Profits from the Melrose Dust N Dance Hoedown will support Rural Aid, one of Australia’s largest rural charities. Rural Aid provides practical and emotional help to regional communities, including hay and water deliveries during drought, mental health support for farmers, gift cards for families in need, and projects that keep country towns alive and kicking.

Camping will also be available onsite, with funds going to the Mt Remarkable Agricultural Society.

A night the town’s been waiting for

Melrose local Kaitlyn Woolford, who put forward the winning nomination, said the Hoedown would bring a much-needed lift.

“I really wanted the event to be held in our town because a lot of people here have been struggling with the drought, so I wanted a night where people could switch off and have a good time,” she said.
“It will be great to see lots of happy people dancing, laughing and having fun.”

Melrose Dust N Dance Hoedown
When: Saturday, November 15 2025, 5:30pm – late
Where: Melrose Showgrounds, 22083 Horrocls Hwy, Melrose
Tickets: Must be pre-purchased by Friday November 7 at Localtix
More Info: Click here

Want more? Head to Greater SA’s What’s On for the latest events across regional SA.