One hundred and seventy-five people (100 kids and 75 dads), jam-packed the Becker Community Center’s gymnasium last Friday night for the 9th annual Father/Daughter Valentine’s dinner and dance.

 

The event is always a highly-anticipated event for bot the fathers and daughters with registration opening on New Year’s Day and usually sells out in about two-to-three weeks later.

 

Dean-O-Mite was once again the DJ entertainment for the evening and the disc jockey did a tremendous job getting even the fussiest dads to hoof it up. A photographer with MG Photography was also on hand to take professional portraits for the dapper couples and offering ordering information on the numerous packages they offer.

 

In the past, the BCC would serve spaghetti as the main meal, but many grumbled with the “mess” the meal made of the little girls’ dresses as the marinara sauce dripped from their chins and from the slippery noodles. This year, pasta with shorter noodles was ordered from Big D’s Pizza and Pasta, which included chicken alfredo and penne red sauce options.

 

The meal also consisted of rolls and cookies for dessert.

 

New for this year was a drink concoction called, “Cherry Cupid”, which is a drink made of black cherry lemonade with maraschino cherries. The kids loved it!

 

Dads had the option of sticking with water, ordering a soda pop or drinking coffee.

 

Coloring sheets and crayons were also made available at different stations in the building and kids had a blast biding their time between eating, getting their picture taken and dancing.

 

Many of the dads said they enjoy sharing the annual father/daughter dance with their youngsters as they dress up in suits and ties to compliment their little girls and their dresses.

 

“This was our first time,” said dad Tom Hanzlik of Becker, who sat with his three-year-old daughter Lauren patiently at their table until they were called to get in line for supper.

 

“We heard a lot of good things about this event and had to come check it out.”

 

Eric Warhol was in attendance with his three-year-old daughter, Katherine for the second year in a row and said, “It’s a great event, my daughter just loves it!”

 

Dan Westby, a Staff Sergeant with the National Guard, was in full uniform Friday night with four of his daughters. He said his daughters usually start talking about the next year’s daddy/daughter dance as soon as this year’s one is over.

 

“They love it and can’t wait for the day,” Westby said. “It’s a lot of fun making memories each and every year.”

 

A special thanks from the BCC staff to the Becker Boys Scouts for volunteering their time to help clear tables and help with clean up.