Sunday was all about daddies’ little girls.
In fact, more than 250 dads and daughters attended the sold-out Snowflake Ball at the Seniors’ Drop-in Centre.
That included Justin Patterson and his four-year-old daughter Quinn, who made the trip from Vernon to be together.
“It’s just special to be able to spend that couple of hours just alone with her and do something unique,” said Patterson, holding Quinn in his arms. “She loves dancing and it’s definitely a bonding experience. Kids gain a lot from being with just one parent, it’s fun.”
Penticton’s version of the dads and daughters night out was the idea of Dana Chapman whose brother had attended similar events in the community he lived in.
Chapman asked around and when she found out there wasn’t one here she: “Just kind of decided, inspired by my husband’s relationship with our daughter, to do it myself, to make it happen and so we came up with this really great community event.”
The first ball was held in 2017.
Dads and daughters arrived Sunday night (some by limousine) at the centre and were welcomed by the music of Maiya Robbie in the lobby.
The dance hall was decorated with coloured lighting setting the ambience, which, along with the bubble wrap on the dance floor, kept everyone hopping.
Along with a craft table, there were also glamour stations where girls could have their hair and makeup done and plenty of prizes as well.
“It’s just going to be a great night of games, music and laughter and hopefully a lot of great memories,” said Chapman, who co-organized the event this year with Kori Wyborn. “There’s just a special relationship between a dad and his daughter and this is just an opportunity to celebrate that, with no moms around.”
