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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Fathers and daughters from throughout Ohio gathered on Feb. 14 at the Lariccia Family Community Center for Boardman Park's annual Daddy Daughter Dance.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Johnlinda, Lia and Kylee Cochrane attended the annual Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by Boardman Park on Feb. 14 at the Lariccia Family Community Center.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Boardman Park provided a buffet for community member attending the annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Feb. 14 at the Lariccia Family Community Center.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Jarrale and Kalenah Butts posed for a photo on Feb. 14 during the Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by Boardman Park.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Avery, Mike and Annabelle Munford enjoyed dinner at Boardman Park's annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Feb. 14.
By JESSICA HARKER
Dads and daughters from all over Ohio travelled to Boardman Park to celebrate the parks 16th annual Father Daughter Dance.
Recreation director Karen McCallum said the event ran for six days, encompassing two weekends.
“It’s a magical night for the fathers and daughters to spend time together,” McCallum said.
Daughters ages 5-12 attend the dance with their Fathers.
Boardman Park has a variety of activities available, including professional photos, balloon roses, dancing and dinner.
A drink fountain and cupcake tower were favorites of the girls, according to McCallum.
“I want to commend the dads of this community for embracing family time and making it a priority to come to this event annually,” she said.
At the end of the night, McCallum said, they host a rose ceremony, where the fathers present their daughters with roses.
A special song is played for the 12-year-old girls who will be aging out of the dance as well.
“It’s just a wonderful tribute to this area, and this community that embraces family values,” McCallum said.
Families from Dayton and Cleveland made the drive in to celebrate the evening, according to McCallum, even on father making the call overseas.
“We had a dad who was deployed to Kuwait, he emailed me and said can you hold these,” McCallum said. “I said, ‘Of course I can.’”
She explained that each night of the event was sold out except one, which was only 10 ticket short.
“That’s how important this dance is,” McCallum said.
For more information on up coming Boardman Park events, go to www.Boardmanpark.com.