TOWN OF DEWITT – A father-daughter dance boasting a Candy Land theme was held Feb. 11 inside the DeWitt Community Room on Sanders Creek Parkway in East Syracuse.
To allow more people to attend while keeping the space with a 100-person capacity from getting too crowded, the event organized by Town of DeWitt Parks and Recreation was split into two separate parties.
Through the combined four hours on Saturday, dads arrived in tuxedos as their young ones wore tiaras and princess gowns with corsages. The attendees were able to pose at a photo booth and make arts and crafts such as cotton candy cutouts.
On the dance floor the guests twirled each other around and played catch with balloons as tunes like “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” were spun by the DJ. Some who were apprehensive at first to cut a rug later started to let loose, said Brie Hall, a recreation aide for the town.
Hall said it was nice to see the kids who participate in other town programs like summer camp have the chance to dress up for a change.
“It’s something different,” she said. “It’s not an everyday thing for them—it’s like a mini prom.”
A number of the dance attendees were from outside the immediate areas of DeWitt and East Syracuse.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from because dancing and music brings everybody together,” Hall said. “There’s a lot of work that goes into it, but to see them all having a blast makes it all worth it.”
Jeff Berger of Westvale said he and his daughter try to go to an event of the sort every year to have a special night out. The DeWitt Community Room also happens to be where she had her most recent birthday party.
Richard Goodell said that in the past he and his daughter Olivia have gone to the Daddy Daughter Spring Spectacular at Driver’s Village in their hometown of Cicero but that they have not done so since before the start of the COVID pandemic. The two made sure to stop at Friendly’s for a meal beforehand to make it an even fuller evening.
“I love dancing to music and having a good time with my dad,” said Olivia, whose dress matched colors used for the popular Hasbro board game that served as the dance’s theme.
Syracuse resident Leo Leija said he heard about the event through Facebook and thought it would make for an interesting, worthwhile bonding experience with his daughter.
“I think it’s great,” Leija said. “It’s pretty cool that the community here does this.”
He said the Candy Land theme brought back personal memories of playing that game when he was younger.
For the father-daughter dance, Remarkable Creations donated decorations and Wegmans donated gift cards for snacks, juice and water bottles. Prizes were provided by Paparazzi Jewelry, Carvel, Sky Zone Trampoline Park and other local businesses.
A mother-son dance is scheduled to take place at the same location in April. Like this past weekend’s dance, that event will be open to any guardians.