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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Boardman Park had a Father Daughter Dance in the Lariccia Family Community Center on six nights, Feb. 9, 10, 15,16, 17 and 18. The night included dinner, photos and a dance. Pictured are fathers and daughters, from left and moving clockwise, Glenn Barnett, Amilia Johnson, Greg Smith, Jenna Smith, Angelee Blasko, Brian Blasko and Natalie Blasko.
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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Boardman Park's Father Daughter Dance had three photo areas, including a professional photo station. Pictured, Daniel Boyadich posed with his daughter Jadalyn Hollobaugh in front of a heart display.
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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Boardman Park invited entertainer Joe Sullivan to the Father Daughter dance to make balloon art, tell jokes and entertain the young children. Sullivan works with Boardman Park at many other events throughout the years.
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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Many families have gone to Boardman Park's Father Daughter Dance for many years and some have made a tradition out of the event. Natalee Caldwell, pictured with her father Kevin Caldwell, received a new dress for her birthday and the dance each of the four years she has gone.
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Neighbors | Zack Shively.The Father Daughter Dance at Boardman Park had a DJ and a dance floor. The event ended with a rose ceremony, where the daughters receive roses and a dance to the song "My Girl" by the Temptations.
By ZACK SHIVELY
Boardman Park celebrated their 15th annual Father Daughter Dance night on Feb. 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18 at the Lariccia Family Community Center.
The park sold out five of the six nights of the event. They provided food, dancing and pictures for the families.
“It’s a great way for dads to do something special,“ said Recreation Director Karen McCallum about the event. She said the success of the event is a testament for how dads in the area value family.
The park provided a dinner of chicken tenders, pasta, mashed potatoes, rolls and salad and a table with cookies and cupcakes for dessert. In the activities room, a couple could take their own photos at a photo booth and another photo area, as well as go to another area for a professional photo. The park invited performer Joe Sullivan to make balloon art and entertain the young children.
The activities room also housed the dance floor. A DJ played music for the couples to dance. At the end of the event, the fathers and daughters participated in the rose ceremony, where each daughter received a rose and the couples danced to “My Girl“ by The Temptations.
“Seeing the fathers with their daughters is a beautiful thing,“ said Glenn Barnett, a father at the program. He has attended the six times and said that the fathers always have fun. Over time, the fathers get to know each other and will greet each other at the event. He comes every year for his daughter’s birthday and said his favorite part is the last dance.
McCallum said the dance has become a tradition for many families. Some of the daughters have been to five or six dances. She also spoke about fathers becoming friends over time, as she noticed that many fathers will start to show up to the event in groups.
Natalee Caldwell and her father Kevin are one of the families that have created a tradition around the event. She has gone to the event four years in a row. Each year, her mother buys her a dress for her birthday to wear at the event. She likes dancing at the event and said she enjoys spending time with her father.
Each night saw around 105 people each night, with some fathers bringing multiple daughters to the event. The program was for daughters between ages 5-12. The Emerging Leaders group from Boardman High School volunteered at the event and helped the Boardman Park staff.