EPHRATA - The Wheatland Whirlers Square Dance Club is celebrating its 60th anniversary this Saturday with a dance in Ephrata.

The dancing begins at 7 p.m., with the main dance starting at 8, at the Ephrata Recreation Center, located at 112 Basin St. The public is invited to come watch, and experienced square dancers can join in for a suggested donation of $7 per person or $14 per couple, according to club president Judy Schock.

The dance will have a 1960s theme and will honor Wheatland Whirlers' club caller Bob Yearout, who retired his duties at the end of March. Yearout, 82, said he's been square dancing off and on since he was 8 years old and has been a member of the Ephrata club for the past 12 years.

Schock said noted square dance caller John Corrigan is coming down from Delta, British Columbia for the anniversary dance, while Quincy's Jim Spence will be cueing.

According to a club history, the Wheatland Whirlers first formed in 1952 at the Wheatland School, which was located in Sagebrush Flats. They were soon after accepted into the Washington State Square and Folk Dance Federation and moved to the Two Springs Grange to dance before acquiring their own hall in 1956.

The hall was a vacated apartment building that was previously part of the hospital area at the Ephrata Air Base during World War II. Using money earned at rummage sales and volunteer labor by club members, the club transformed the building over the years into an updated meeting place. A hardwood dance floor was installed in 1976.

The club, which Schock said currently has about 25 members of various ages and abilities, now meets for dances at several locations throughout Ephrata. The Wheatland Whirlers are offering square dance lessons at the Ephrata Middle School beginning September 18 and running until Christmas.

For more information on the dance, the club, or to sign up for lessons, contact Judy Schock at 509-754-4803 or email jschock@homenetnw.net.