The annual Portage Parks Daddy Daughter Dance has come to mean quality family time for many people, and this year was no different. Over 300 pairs of dapper dads and their darling daughters showed up to celebrate their special bond. The event was held at Woodland Park in Portage and the Portage Parks Department devoted their time and attention to detail to make the night extra special. There was red garland, candle-lit tables, and of course, plenty of music.
Click here to see photos from the Daddy Daughter Dance!
The evening began with dinner from Windmill Catering, which included a varied menu to satisfy the tastes of both the adults and children in attendance. After dinner, some dads and daughters lined up for dessert while others headed to the dance floor. The DJ played a medley of songs including some classic songs like Al Martino’s “Daddy’s Little Girl”. Dance partners held hands, spun around, jumped up and down and some even did the “Chicken Dance”.
Hovering above the dance floor was a Valentine’s Day themed balloon drop which the kids eyed with anticipation. As soon as the drop was announced, children started chanting, “Drop the balloons! Drop the balloons!”
The red, white, and pink orbs finally did drop and the excitement of the evening was taken up a notch. Little girls in ribbons, sequins, and tulle raced around the room, playing and laughing with their friends and fathers.
Lori Wilkie, the Director of Marketing and Development at Portage Parks Department, had almost as much fun as the kids, planning and carrying out the event.
“My favorite part of organizing is the decorating,” she says. “But my favorite part of the event is seeing all the little girls with their dads,” she said.
This is Wilkie’s second time organizing the Daddy Daughter Dance and she looks forward to continuing the tradition with the help of her colleagues.
“It really is a group effort,” she explained. “Everyone pitches in and shows up to make this event happen.”
For Mario Gonzalez of Portage, the best part of the night was just watching his daughter have fun and be herself with her friends. This is the second time he and his daughter attended the dance. Ron Reed and his daughter have also made a tradition of coming to the event. Reed is a Hobart Firefighter who really looked forward to spending time with his daughter.
“The best part for me was getting to dance with my daughter. I work a lot of hours so I’m not home a lot.”
It was a wonderful event, just in time for Valentine's Day. And who to be a better Valentine for a young lady than her father?