Members of the Penn Township Woman's Club prepare for the Hillbilly Ball the organization planned for Oct. 22, 1971 at the Saxonburg Fire Hall. Atop the wagon are Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Maggio, and standing are Mrs. Cosco and Mrs. Kopie. Butler Eagle File Photo

Jack Bowman and Jack Neely

The Saxonburg Fire Hall would become a ballroom Oct. 22, 1971, but instead of traditional ballroom dancing, guests would instead partake in round and square dances.

The Penn Township Woman’s Club was preparing for the Hillbilly Ball on Oct. 19, 1971, with some dressing in costumes to get the fire hall ready for guests.

Special costumes were optional, but prizes would be awarded for the best hillbilly attire.

One of the committee members quipped during preparations that, “(John) Bulford will play, and the squares will be dancing.”