Family Y's popular father-daughter dance returns in January
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 12, 2004 2:04 AM
Fathers and daughters of all ages had such fun at last year's dance that the Family Y has decided to give them another turn around the dance floor.
This year's "Father-Daughter Dance" is planned for Saturday, Jan. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Vanessa Spiron, director of the YMCA's Warm Heart Mentor program, said the dance is open to all ages.
"We had kids last year that were babies, up to 20 years old and older," she said. "There was a mix of ages and people but nobody seemed to mind, because they weren't there to meet friends but for a good time with their fathers."
She said that last year's event drew about 100 people and received a lot of positive feedback.
"It was so cute to see all the little girls dancing with their dads, and the older girls, too," she said. "It was a lot of fun, and the fathers and daughters just had a wonderful time and asked if we were going to do it again this year."
Bob Hankins attended last year with his daughter, whom he surprised with the ticket as a gift.
"Last year was the first time my 14-year-old daughter and I were able to go to a dance together, and it was fantastic," he wrote Mrs. Spiron when he learned a second such event was planned. "Everything you did to make it a special night, from the food to the music, was really great."
He wrote, "We danced 'as if no one was watching' and made some fun memories for both of us. You can plan on our attendance again this year; we wouldn't miss it!"
Rodolph King said he enjoyed dancing, playing games and singing karaoke with his daughter.
"There are so few opportunities for a father to spend good quality time with his daughter in a social setting," he said.
Mrs. Spiron said the event is open to the public and is not limited to biological fathers and daughters. "Father figures in your life can make a big difference," she said.
The event also supports the YMCA's values, she said, "building stronger families and supporting the family unit."
She said the dance is the program's big fund-raiser of the year, supporting efforts to provide mentors for youth across the county. In addition to music and dancing, refreshments are provided along with a variety of games and activities and door prizes.
Cost for tickets is $15 per couple, $5 for each additional daughter.
For more information, call the YMCA at 778-8557 or e-mail Mrs. Spiron at vanessa.spiron@goldsboroymca.org.