Sun City Poms History – Sun City Poms

NOTE: Below is a chronological timeline of the history of the Sun City Poms. The pictures below are in a “carousel” format, meaning you can use the arrows on the screen to navigate left and right. Clicking on a picture allows you to see the entire picture. Once enlarged, you can use your keyboard arrows to scroll.

Special 45th Anniversary Video which includes clip from 1979 Real People, 1979 & 2023 Pictures, and Pictures from 2023 Poms Show

Video of pictures from 1979 thru 2023

Founding

The Sun City Poms were founded by Corrine and Ray Leslie. They were first named the Sun City Pom Poms. Corrine was born in Hamilton, Ohio and studied dancing in Chicago and New York. She went on to dance in the opening of the Radio City Music Hal l and with the Michael Mordkin Russian Ballet and the Albe rtina Rasch Ballet in the United States and Europe.

More information about Corrine

She studied tap dancing under Ray in New York where they formed the Leslie Trio. They were soon married and enjoyed a long honeymoon, dancing throughout Eastern South America. They gave up show business to raise their daughter and taught dance in Southern California, before retiring to Sun City.

The Poms began as a class taught by Corinne and Ray Leslie. The class grew in popularity through the 1970s, and in 1978 a cheerleading group was formed for a local women’s softball team – the Sun City Saints.

The Webb Corporation, (responsible for building Sun City), quickly saw the group’s potential and provided funds for the attractive costumes they wore in their first Fiesta Bowl Parade in December, 1979.

Alternate story: The Sun City Saints was a women’s softball team that was experiencing falling attendance during their 1979 season. In an effort to change that, one of the team players came up with an idea to add some pizzazz and entertainment for the fans. So…. friends got together and formed a Pom Pom squad…and yes, it increased attendance. Eventually though, the ball team folded. But by then, the Pom Pom ladies were having so much fun that they decided to reinvent themselves into a performance group.

So, did the Poms come out of a dance class? Or out of a softball team that needed attendance? Smart money says a bit of both. We know for certain that Corrine and Ray Leslie were the true foundation of the Sun City Pom Poms as a dance/performance team.

1978

Cheerleading squad was formed for Sun City Saints, the local women’s softball team.

1979

Officially organized as the Sun City Pom Poms.
Appeared on Real People – trip to California
Marched in Fiesta Bowl Parade
Shortly after the Fiesta Bowl Parade, name was changed to Sun City Poms

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

Invited to perform at the annual fundraiser for the National Fitness Foundation in New York City, where First Lady Nancy Reagan was the guest of honor.

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1993

1995

1999

One of the Poms founder’s Frances “Foofie” Harian. died in 1999 at age 84. Her image graced the pages of Time, National Geographic, Self, Fortune, Health and even the Journal of American Medicine. Astoundingly flexible well into her 80s. Foofie could gracefully throw one leg over her shoulder and parallel to her tiny 95-pound body to the envious of everyone. She retired from the Poms in 1997 after 18 years of dance and antic-filled years.
Could not reach 20 member minimum to march in Fiesta Bowl Parade

2004

2005

2009

2011

Appeared in a Japanese TV documentary on health, beauty, and longevity to encourage people in Japan after the earthquake and tsuami devastation

2014

Phoenix Veteran’s Parade
Litchfield Parade
Fiesta Bowl Parade
Mardi Gras parade
Note says have marched in the Fiesta Bowl Parade 33 times since 1979, only missing 1999 & 2000