The Curlee Family Talks Of Their Love For Square Dancing And The Importance Of Bringing Strangers Together
When the Curlee family, who operate one of Charlotte, NC’s top construction companies, first got involved in square dancing as a family hobby, they didn’t expect it to lead to a new line of work. “My Mom and Dad started square dancing in 1994 and they got me to try it a couple of years later,” says Kim Curlee, daughter of the Curlee clan headed by Everette and Virginia Curlee. “I liked it for the social aspects and the health benefits. I met people from all over the world that were united in their passion for this dance style.”
Among the people that the Curlees met through square dancing were top callers Tony Oxendine and Jerry Story. Both came to square dance calling from a musical background and together founded Royal Records, one of the most popular labels issuing square dance music. In 1999, after consulting with Tony and Jerry, the Curlees founded Grand Square International (GSI), an organization dedicated to preserving this traditional heritage dance form through promoting dances, classes and square dancing weekends across the United States and around the world. GSI has affiliates and sponsors events in Japan, China, Canada, the UK and in several European countries.
In 2002, the Curlee family took their interest in square dancing, as well as a long tradition of family camping trips, a step further. Again teaming with Tony and Jerry, they purchased the Pride RV Resort and Family Campground, located at the gateway to Maggie Valley and just off I-40 in western North Carolina. “We fell in love with the people and the social interaction of the activity years ago and decided to bring that same energy and fellowship to Pride,” Kim tells The Buzz.
Today, square dancing weeks are offered at the resort from April through October, with several special weekends. Most weeks Tony and Jerry, plus a selection of other top callers, lead three sessions of dancing a day, Monday through Thursday, topped off by a final cookout. Square dance week participants receive special rates for camping or accommodations in the resort’s cabins and park models, a daily continental breakfast and full use of the campground facilities. Instruction is offered in many levels of dancing, from novice to expert, with special sessions for round dancers and callers.
“We have nearly a thousand dancers each year, some coming for multiple dance vacations here at Pride,” Kim says. “Dancers come from all over the world, from as far away as Japan and as nearby as Asheville, NC. Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, Sweden...the list is very impressive and shows the bonding result of this amazing activity.”
To better accommodate the dance sessions, the Curlees constructed the Pride Center, a 4,000 square foot heated and air conditioned indoor meeting facility with a huge floor for dancing. The center has proved a popular spot for weddings and other special events, as well, and is the home of Pride Ministries, with weekly non-denominational Sunday services led by Pastor Charles Shaver from April to October. Concerts and gospel songs are held on Saturday evenings, and the center is open for public square dancing every Tuesday evening, with professional callers on hand.
The Curlees have made many infrastructure improvements at the park, including updated plumbing, electrical and other systems. In recent years they have upgraded the pool area and added a mini-golf course, basketball court and playground. Games and activities, including horseshoe and holey board tournaments, are offered daily during the summer season, when many campers come for extended stays. “We try to add activities and facilities that immediately improve our guests’ vacation experience,” Kim says.
Pride’s newest amenity, according to Jerry Kerr, who manages the resort, is a state-of-the-art covered shuffleboard court equipped with fans and lights. “You can play all night if you want to,” Kerr says.
The Curlee family has situated its camping resort squarely in the middle of one of the most interesting areas of the western North Carolina mountains, with easy interstate access to both Asheville, NC, and the Pigeon Forge area of Tennessee. Nature based activities, from hiking to wildlife spotting to visiting waterfalls to fly-fishing, abound in the area. Pride Resort is one of the closest campgrounds to the famous elk herd in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Cataloochee Valley and just down the road from Cherokee and its casino. Jefferson Creek, one of North Carolina’s famed trout streams, runs along one side of the campground, offering an exciting day of fly-fishing on-site
“We were attracted to the natural beauty of the location,” Kim says. “Maggie Valley has always been a well-kept secret, but has evolved into much more of a tourist destination over the years. We feel it offers visitors a balance of nature’s beauty and man-made attractions, restaurants and shopping.”
Renee Wright
A graduate of Franconia College in Social Psychology, Renee has worked as Travel Editor for Charlotte Magazine and has written three travel guidebooks for Countryman Press among other writing assignments. She enjoys food and camping.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Pride RV Resort, a beautiful, friendly, quaint, mountain retreat. Open year-round, Pride offers something for everyone. There is lots to see and do in the Maggie Valley area!