A 6″7′ man performing dance moves in the street has become a local phenomenon for the town of Hamilton, Ohio.
John Drury, a truck driver locally known as “The Dancing Trucker,” has been performing his dance routines in front of the Hamilton, Ohio courthouse on Sunday afternoons for the past several years.
“This all got started in 2011 when I lost 100 pounds through dance, dance fitness, and Zumba,” Drury said according to WHIO TV.
“I found Zumba. I found dance fitness. I was the only guy in the room…. An intimidating looking guy as you can see,” Drury chuckled.
“But the women accepted me. They were like ‘hey, this dude ain’t just here to look at us. He’s here to dance,’” he continued.
“I was finally dancing again after 20 years because I danced when I was younger… back in the mid-eighties.”
Now, Drury not only dances for his health and fitness, but to put smiles on his own, and other people’s faces as they watch a 350-pound man dancing on the sidewalk.
“About two years ago, my mother, (Sandra Drury) was killed by a drunk driver on her way to church,” explained Drury.
“That was just the worst thing. She was just a kind, giving person. So, that is another reason I want to get out here and just spread joy and get smiles. It helps me too. I don’t want money… just attention.”
“I am a 6-foot-7 big white dude with rhythm so I am trying to break stereotypes,” Drury continued.
“I try to get people to step out of their comfort zone. There is a stereotype involved with dancing in public… This is a risk. Are they gonna think you’re crazy? Are they gonna think you’re on drugs? What are they gonna think?”
Hamilton police Sgt. Brian Robinson said that Drury often calls the department to let officers know where he will be dancing, just in case someone calls reporting a giant man dancing in the streets.
“I just do what comes naturally to me and I don’t really care what people think,” said Drury.
“But when it’s positive enforcement, like smiling, dancing for smiles, clapping, encouraging me to keep going, basically, then that’s good. Then I pay attention to that.”
On top of his Sunday afternoon dance sessions, Drury performs at different truck stops on his travels as a truck driver, and even performs in dance competitions. Drury is also a certified Zumba instructor and occasionally teaches classes.
“Seeing the people smile [makes it] all worth it and I hope to be able to continue to do it,” Drury said.