SANTARÉM, Portugal – The Cripple Creek Cloggers and Slim Chance Band of Rutherford County are heading home, after being in Santarém, Portugal. This year marked a triumphant homecoming to the international folk stage where they first performed 41 years ago under founding director Steve Cates. “This has been a chance not only to perform, but to exchange culture in both directions,” said Sarah Harris, Slim Chance Band’s fiddle player from Eagleville, TN. 

This year, the troupe joined global performers in the 64th Celestino Graça Festival, also known as The Festival of Popular Arts and Traditions of the World. The celebration, which ran September 2–6, welcomed groups from Brazil, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, and across Portugal.

Festival activities included colorful parades through Santarém’s historic old city and vibrant stage performances before thousands of spectators. Audiences greeted the Cloggers with warmth and enthusiasm, honoring them as cultural ambassadors of Middle Tennessee’s Appalachian square dance heritage.

“Returning here after four decades is both an honor and a joy,” said Cloggers Tour Director Matt Davis. “We are reminded that our Appalachian traditions have the power to connect across languages and borders.”

The Cripple Creek Cloggers, now in their 59th year, will soon be back home sharing their experience with the community. Local residents are invited to join them at the Smyrna Senior Activity Center on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4 p.m. for free participation and dance lessons—no prior experience required.

The troupe remains active in Tennessee’s arts scene. This past June, they hosted their 43rd annual International Folkfest and led workshops for CHORD (Collaboration, Harmony, Opportunities, Relationships, and Destinations), an arts networking hub. Over the summer, they performed at the Blackman Barbecue and will next appear at Saint Rose of Lima’s International Folk Festival on Sept. 14, followed by a concert with the Slim Chance Band at Hop Springs during the ROOTS RENDEZVOUS Uncle Dave Macon Days on Sept. 20 (full Festival - Scheduled for September 19- 21).

Team leaders and instructors include Nathan Horton, Chad Kress, and Matt Davis. More information is available at cripplecreekcloggers.org or on their Facebook page at facebook.com/ccc.cripplecreekcloggers.