Gabriel Wilson wasn’t intimidated to have three dates to the same event Saturday night, but it did make for a challenge when it came time for a slow dance.
As a father of three young girls, Wilson said he couldn’t imagine a better way to spend his time than taking all three to Girls Inc. of Jackson County’s annual Father Daughter Dance.
Viviana “Vivi,” 9, Genevieve “Gigi,” 7, and Francesca “Chessie,” 3, made sure to keep Wilson moving, shaking and twirling them around the dance floor all night. From two-stepping to doing the motions for the YMCA, no dance was too silly to try.
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Click here to purchase photos from this gallery“We have a great time,” Wilson said. “I love spending time with them.”
All three girls donned fancy dresses and had their hair and makeup done by their mom.
For Vivi, the night is all about having fun and feeling special.
“I love, love, love to dance and get all dressed up and look pretty,” she said. “Dad makes sure we have the best time.”
Gigi Wilson said the dance is a blast.
“I like getting to dance with my dad and my friends and playing games and winning prizes,” she said.
More than 650 people attended Saturday’s dance at the Girls Inc. facility, which included a dance contest, games and refreshments. Each couple got a picture to take home, too.
The event is so popular organizers have discussed trying to find a new venue.
“This was another record year for us. Last year, we had around 630, I think,” said Kelly Royer, program manager. “We’re glad so many dads want to be here.”
Although the event is called the Father Daughter Dance, it’s not just dads that are welcome to come. Any positive male role model can fill in, including stepdads, grandpas, uncles, older cousins and even neighbors or family friends.
This year, disc jockey Janet Pollmann decided to play more slow songs in order to force dads onto the dance floor instead of standing in the back.
“A lot of dads told me when the faster songs are on, the girls just like to go out and dance with their friends,” Pollmann said. “I made sure to get them out there this year.”
Josh Barlow of Seymour escorted his daughter, Finley, 8, to the dance.
“For me, it’s all about making the evening completely about my daughter,” he said. “Girls Inc. does a great job with this, from the games, snacks and of course, dancing. I think this was my third year taking Finley, so it’s becoming a tradition that I hope she remembers forever. I know I will.”
Despite or because of his dance moves, Finley said she looks forward to spending time with her dad.
“I love going to the Father Daughter Dance because every year, my dad buys me roses and takes me on a date before we go,” Finley said. “My mom does my hair and nails, and I dress up in a fancy dress and feel like a princess.”
Getting to play games is always a highlight, she said.
“I love to play the games. Bingo was my favorite this year, and I won a mermaid doll,” she said. “I even beat my dad at bingo.”
When it comes to dancing, her dad may not have the best moves, but that doesn’t bother Finley.
“My dad dances awkward. Some of his moves are silly,” she said. “But I love to dance slow with him because he can do that good.”
Steve Deweese of Seymour only had two daughters to take this year, Janie, 10, and Liv, 12, as his oldest daughter is now in high school. Between all three daughters, this is his seventh Father Daughter Dance.
“I think that it is super important for fathers to connect with their daughters,” he said. “They are going to have disappointing relationships with men in their life, but the relationship they have with their dad should not be one of them.”
Janie said going to the dance is a little like going to the prom.
“It was fun,” she said. “We do it every year. I like getting to dress up.”
Liv said getting to dance with her dad is something she looks forward to.
“It’s fun and special,” she said. “I can’t wait to do it every year.”
Deweese said he feels lucky his girls still want to go out with him.
“My girls are getting older, and I know that our time is coming to an end as far as this dance is concerned, but as long as they keep asking me to go, I will definitely keep going,” he said. “It usually falls on the same weekend as my birthday, and showing up with my girls is the best present that they could possibly give me.”