BONNERS FERRY — Weekly line dancing classes are drawing growing crowds in both Bonner and Boundary counties, creating a fun, welcoming social option built around movement and connection. 

The classes are led by Jessica Haecherl, owner of Walk the Line Dancing Events, who began offering line dancing in Sandpoint in July 2023. In January, Haecherl expanded the classes into Bonners Ferry after noticing a number of Boundary County residents traveling to the Sandpoint event. 

After moving to Sandpoint in 2023, Haecherl said she noticed a strong appreciation for country and western music in the area, but fewer opportunities for social dancing. She wanted a way to connect with the community while creating a fun, inclusive environment, which led her to launch Walk the Line Dancing Events. 

“One of the things that I love about line dancing is you don’t have to go with anybody if you don’t want,” Haecherl said. “You dance by yourself and align with a bunch of people, so you don’t need a partner or anything like that.” 

She said participants attend on their own, with friends or as part of larger groups, and the focus remains on dancing and community rather than how someone arrives. 

Haecherl said accessibility is a key reason she was drawn to line dancing herself. She began dancing in 2016 and said it quickly became a way to connect with others and feel part of the community. 

“I started dancing in 2016, and it was really just a good way to get out and meet new people, build community, and honestly get really good exercise and have fun while doing it,” she said. 

In Bonners Ferry line dancing is offered on Monday evenings. In Sandpoint, Haecherl offers regular line dancing classes as well as country swing dancing.  

While swing dancing involves partners, she said people frequently attend without one. 

“People come without partners, and we partner up,” Haecherl said. “A lot of times, I encourage switching partners because it’s a lot more fun. You get to meet new people, and you get to learn different lead and follow styles.”  

In Sandpoint, the line dancing classes are offered at The Hive and country swing dancing takes place at Barrel 33. In Boundary County, line dancing classes are held at Memorial Hall in Bonners Ferry in January. Attendance has consistently approached capacity, with average turnout in the high 40s and space for about 50 dancers per night. 

She said the strong participation was evident from the first evening, when most of the room filled within minutes of the doors opening. 

Class costs are kept intentionally low to encourage participation. Line dancing lessons cost $10, while beginner country swing dancing classes cost $15. 

While often associated with country music, Haecherl said line dancing spans a wide range of musical styles. 

“You can line dance to any style of music,” she said. “There are a lot of line dances out there in the world that are non-country as well.” 

Haecherl said her goal this year is to continue expanding offerings in Boundary County, where attendance has remained high since classes began in January. She said that could eventually include adding a second night of classes each week, with the possibility of offering country swing dancing in addition to line dancing. 

“With the response that I’ve gotten up there, I think it’s something that’s going to stick around,” Haecherl said. 

Schedules, locations and updates for Walk the Line Dancing Events are posted on social media and on the organization’s website. 

    Walk the Line Dancing Events