The 1985 Festival featured several special events, including some that drew upon participants from two or more areas of the Festival. Three dance bands performed polka, Cajun and blues music, accompanied by dancers from their communities, on the music stages in the three main Festival areas every evening, except July 4. Each Saturday, an evening concert was held at the Sylvan Theatre on the Washington Monument grounds. These concerts presented music from the programs featured at the Festival. An evening of Indian performance, climaxed by burning a statue of the legendary demon Ravana, took place on the Mela! site on Friday, July 5.

Arlene Liebenau served as Dance Parties Program Coordinator.