Annual Father Daughter Dance Draws A Royal Crowd

With magic in the air and stardust in their eyes, 95 local royalty danced the night away at the annual 2012 Des Plaines Park District Father Daughter Dance. The event drew 43 couples to the enchanted evening held in the Royal Ballroom at the Administrative and Leisure Center on Saturday, February 11.

Young princesses and their dance partners strolled down the red carpet, dressed in their finest and were announced by DJ Jeff Parcell. The evening began with catered faire, after which the lords and ladies lined up to have their portraits taken by members of the Des Plaines Camera Club.

After dinner the Des Plaines Park District's in-house dance company, Artistry in Motion, performed several pieces from their repertoire and led the couples in a “Soul Train” dance line.

Then the Princes and their Princesses took to the ballroom floor for an evening of music and dancing, that spanned the generations - from the songs of Sinatra to Adele. DJ Jeff Parcell kept the party rockin' with crowd favorites including the YMCA and the electric slide. Whether dancing on their fathers' toes or in their arms, every princess knew she was “Daddy's Little Girl.”

During the evening, the couples also took time out for a series of Minute to Win It Games. In Cup Hands, Amanda, 10, and Bob Byrne, raced against each other to stack five dice with plastic cups on their hands. For Baby Blocking, Emily Chandler, 14, balanced a paper plate on her head and attempted to stack five wooden baby blocks on it. In The Dizzy Mummy, Joe Piagari raced the clock as he attempted to wrap Gabriella, 9, in a roll of toilet paper.

The princesses ranged in age from 3 to 14, many of who annually attend the Ball. “This is our special evening together, just me and the girls,” said Paul Folino, father of three. “Ava and I forward to this night every year,” added Gene Williams.

For more information about Des Plaines Park District classes and events call (847) 391-5700 or visit www.DPparks.org.