Dads, daughters dance the night away
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
James Downing, center, does a little line dancing Friday night with his three daughters, Lula, Journee, and Truley, who dressed in matching lace tops and red skirts.
More than 240 couples — and even a few trios and quartets — attended Friday night’s 12th annual Daddy Daughter Dance at the Maryville Community Center.
Sugar, spice, and everything nice were the flavors of the evening as proud poppas escorted their party dress- and gown-clad daughters during a night of food, games, music, flowers, photos, and unabashed affection.
Hosted by Maryville Parks & Recreation, the event drew only 21 father-daughter couples during its first year back in 2004, and has grown steadily ever since.
Recreation Coordinator Shelly Hersh credited much of the continued success of the annual gala to Northwest Missouri State University students enrolled in Associate Professor Sue Myllykangas’ recreation programming course.
This year, Hersh said, about 25 Northwest students assisted in planning the event and making physical preparations at the Community Center so that local daddies and daughters could enjoy a very special evening out.
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Rodney Grayson and his daughter Jesslyn take to the dance floor during Friday’s Daddy Daughter Dance at the Maryville Community Center.
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
This group of girlfriends developed a severe case of rhythm fever when the DJ cranked up a recording of Kenny Loggins singing “Footloose” during Friday’s Daddy Daughter Dance, an annual event hosted by Maryville Parks & Recreation with help from recreation students at Northwest Missouri State University.
3. TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Brian Bennett and daughter Kiah strike a pose at a photo booth set up outside Friday’s Daddy Daughter Dance, which returned to the Maryville Community Center for the 12th consecutive year.
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Maryville High School Principal Thom Alvarez looks on as daughter Lola accepts a wrist corsage prior to Friday night’s Daddy Daughter Dance at the Maryville Community Center.
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Miss Spirit of St. Louis Outstanding Teen Hailee Beemer signs an autography Friday night for Maggie Farnan during the annual Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by Maryville Parks & Recreation.
