Dance Marathons (also called Walkathons), an American phenomenon of the 1920s and 1930s, were human endurance contests in which couples danced almost non-stop for hundreds of hours (as long as a month or two), competing for prize money.

Dance marathons began in the early 1920s as part of a larger craze for endurance competitions, like flagpole sitting and six-day bicycle races, fueled by the giddy excitement of the Jazz Age. However, as the 1930s rolled in, these events took on a darker tone, reflecting the desperation of the Great Depression. What started as a whimsical fad became a symbol of the lengths to which people would go for entertainment and survival.

These endurance contests attracted a mix of local hopefuls and seasoned professionals, who danced, walked, shuffled, and even sprinted around the clock, often pushing themselves to the brink of physical and mental collapse. Exhaustion set in, but the show continued, with audience members paying 25 cents to watch the spectacle for as long as they pleased.

As fatigue took over, participants would experience hallucinations, earning the nickname “squirrely” behavior from fans. Dancers, delirious from lack of rest, were seen plucking imaginary flowers from the floor or fleeing from nonexistent threats, creating a bizarre and unnerving display of human endurance.

Dance marathons were held in cities across the U.S., including Spokane, Seattle, Yakima, and Bellingham. However, their increasingly exploitative nature and the toll they took on participants led many towns to ban them, deeming the events disruptive and even repulsive. Despite their popularity, dance marathons occupied a controversial and often disreputable corner of society.

Vintage Photographs Capture Dance Marathons in the United States During the 1920s and 1930s

Vintage Photographs Capture Dance Marathons in the United States During the 1920s and 1930s

Vintage Photographs Capture Dance Marathons in the United States During the 1920s and 1930s

Vintage Photographs Capture Dance Marathons in the United States During the 1920s and 1930s

Vintage Photographs Capture Dance Marathons in the United States During the 1920s and 1930s

Vintage Photographs Capture Dance Marathons in the United States During the 1920s and 1930s

Vintage Photographs Capture Dance Marathons in the United States During the 1920s and 1930s