MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Nothing short of a great time was had as more than 300 father and daughters showed up at the Children Youth and Teen Program’s Father and Daughter Dance at The Clubs At Quantico and Crossroads Events Center on Feb. 7, 2014.
This event had been sold out the last 10 years and this year, with more than 50 additional people allowed to attend, the Youth Center’s staff was planning on this event being bigger and better than ever.
“As always this event is going to be great,” said Linda Puentes, assistant director, Quantico Youth Center. “The mission of the event is simple: military children see their parents go out to events like the Marine Corps Ball. This is us giving the daughters that chance to dress up and go to a formal event with that most important male figure in their lives, their father.”
As soon as the children walked through the front door with their dads, their eyes lit up to the glimpse of the abundance of colorful balloons and place settings before them.
Eager to enter the ballroom where the event took place, a few forgot to collect their tickets but the dads were there to make sure to grab them. Every family received a door prize ticket and with it a chance to win anything from a doll to a book or even Legos.
Through the first hour, many fathers captured the night with a professional photo with them and their daughter. Meanwhile some families decided to dig in to the variety of food provided. Many fathers agreed with the food prepared for them as much of it was kid-friendly such as chicken fingers, vegetables and fruit.
By far the most memorable moment of the night was the dance. Fathers wore suits or their dress uniforms and danced daughters, many wearing dresses that made them look as if they stepped out of a fairy tale.
The DJ played tunes all could enjoy, from Disney classics to old school jams from such artist as Michael Jackson. The majority of the fathers were active duty Marines, and while they are physically fit, their daughters definitely gave them a run for their money on the dance floor. Many fathers had to take a break and sip on water between songs. Meanwhile their daughters had no issue dancing the night away with their old and new friends.
“This is the first time that I attended this event with my daughter,” said Gunnery Sgt. Christian Laws, training analyst, Aviation Standards, Training and Education Command. “It has been a great time and one of the best dates I have ever been on.”