Dads, daughters dazzle at annual dance
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Henley and Matt Kendrick swing each other around during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — Fathers and daughters were dressed to the nines as they hopped along a life-size Candyland game, danced and played games at the 17th annual Daddy Daughter Dance held March 12 at the Maryville Community Center.
One hundred fifty seven girls and their dads took part in this year’s event, whose theme Candyland provided the girls with a new opportunity for fun, jumping from one board game square (a piece of paper taped to the floor) to the next as they made their way along the game route.
“The night went very smoothly again, with hardly any lines,” said Maggie Rockwood, Maryville Parks and Recreation aquatics and events supervisor.
A few years ago, dads held the doors open as the line snaked outside, but last year and this year, some of the kinks seem to be worked out.
The evening begins with a professional portrait taken by Lana Cease of Cease Fire Photography and corsages for all the girls from Maryville Florist.
“The girls and the dads had a great time,” Rockwood said.
The event had been moved from January to March, awaiting a lower COVID-19 infection rate in the county.
“Since we moved into the lowest level of infection rate, we felt more comfortable having it,” Rockwood said.
She said organizers expected a lower number of interested couples, but only saw around 20 fewer. Rockwood thinks MPR likely will shift it back to January for next year’s event.
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Mike and Hannah Steffen dance together during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
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James Downling spins his daughter Lula and holds Galyn during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
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James downing lightly tosses his daughter Galyn as they dance during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
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Brooks and Hurst Elliot and James and Lula Downing dance during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
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Aubrey Jackson, Journee and Lula Downing dance to “Baby Shark” during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
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Jamie and Ava James dance to “Baby Shark” during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
PAXSON HAWS/THE FORUM
Laney Cook plays a “Candyland” themed game at the Daddy Daughter dance March 12.
PAXSON HAWS/THE FORUM
Jamie and Ava James dance together at the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
PAXSON HAWS/THE FORUM
Jamie and Ava James dance together at the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
PAXSON HAWS/THE FORUM
Fathers dance with their daughter during the Daddy Daughter dance March 12.
PAXSON HAWS/THE FORUM
Joe Quinlen swings his daughter Austyn under his legs during the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
PAXSON HAWS/THE FORUM
Sophia Combs plays a “Candyland” themed game at the Daddy Daughter dance at the Maryville Community Center March 12.
