In a blur of bouncing curls and stocking feet, girls danced and dined with their fathers last week at one of Auburn's traditional Valentine's Day celebrations.
The 21st annual DaddyDaughter Date Night, organized by Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, was held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Lexington Hotel.
The event offered father daughter bonding activities, including dinner from Chick-fil-A, photographs by Flip Flop Foto and a dancing contest with music by DJ Ozz.
"It's such a special time for the two of us -- a time when I can be with just her," said Pete Forster, accompanied by his 5-yearold daughter, Ella. "I feel that a lot of dads spend more time with their sons, so this is a great chance for me to spend time with only my daughter."
The event had more than 1,400 participants for the entire weekend.
"The event has grown because girls have their dads to themselves," Hall said. "A lot of them also plan to come with their best friends."
Some girls get their hair and makeup done professionally, and some dads arrange for a limo to drop them off at the event, Hall said. Jonathan Ball paused while his 5-year-old daughter, Faith, sat on the ballroom floor to take off her small, white shoes that matched her white dress with a thick turquoise sash.
Then, Faith grabbed her father's hand and pulled him onto the crowded dance floor.
"The dancing is definitely our favorite part of the night," said Ball, a second year participant.
"Chicken Dance," "Electric Slide" and "Macarena" usually make an appearance in the dance contest,
Hall said. "At the end of the night, the staff looks around during the last three songs to award the first, second and third prizes for the dancing contest -- 'Dancing Queen,' 'Twinkle Toes' and 'Fancy Footwork,'" Hall said. "A lot of dads, who typically don't dance, go crazy to help their daughters win the contest."
Forster said he and Ella have attended the Date Night for three years and plan to return next year.
"We've been practicing our dancing, and we're going for the big trophy tonight," Forster said.
Every girl receives a Valentine goody bag containing candy, bracelets, headbands and other treats.
Michael Chambers, with daughters Zaria, 8, and Ambriah, 9, said he also plans to bring his granddaughters to the Date Night next year.
"This is our chance to bond," Chambers said. "I'm a single parent, so I hope that the prestige of being out and dancing will show my daughters how much I appreciate the work they're doing in school and how much I appreciate them putting up withme."
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