A successful inaugural Father/Daughter dance last year was so well-received by the community that it prompted an encore performance, this time adding a Mother/Son dance to the mix.

“It was a very big success and there was an outcry from citizens to increase it,” said Clinton Recreation director Jonathan Allen. “So what we have done is, we’re offering that again this year and are also adding a mother/son dance as well.”

The mother/son dance will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Bellamy Center in Clinton. The father/daughter dance will be held at 6:30-8:30 p.m. the following Saturday, Feb. 27, also at the Bellamy Center. The cost is $15 per couple.

The department held the first-annual Father/Daughter Dance last year at Bellamy. Based on the the popular Walt Disney animated film “Frozen,” the theme was “Frozen In Time.”

Geared for girls ages 4 through 15, the event was not just for fathers and their daughters, but any male figure or role model in a young girls’ life was invited to attend.

The idea was born out of Allen’s experiences with similar events in other towns and cities around the state, including Clayton, where Allen was previously located before coming to Clinton in 2012. Other recreation departments, he added, participate in similar father/daughter dance events and the local director said last year that he felt an event that would allow a father and daughter to spend time together would be a great idea.

“We thought this would be a neat idea,” Allen said. “It’s something very simple, nothing extravagant at all.”

Many others quickly jumped on board. There were around 14 father/daughter couples, varying in age, at last year’s event. Allen, who spent the evening with his daughter at the dance, said it’s important for the male influence in a little girl’s life to be an active participant.

“First and foremost, time with the male influence in a little girl’s life is important,” Allen attested. “Fathers and daughters need that time together to go out and have a good time.”

Following last year’s “Frozen” festivities, Allen shared his hope to continue the event and add a mother/son dance as well. That is now also on tap.

“There will be dancing, food, photographs, possibly a dance-off again. We will also have games and a DJ, of course,” Allen said. “It will be a fun time. So if you have kids … or they’re beyond that age, we’re always looking for stand-ins.”

Reach Managing Editor Chris Berendt at 910-249-4616. Follow the paper on twitter @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.

Mother/son dance added this year

By Chris Berendt

[email protected]

Anthony Davis and daughter Summer enjoy a dance together during the Clinton Recreation and Parks Department Father/Daughter dance last year.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_dance1.jpgAnthony Davis and daughter Summer enjoy a dance together during the Clinton Recreation and Parks Department Father/Daughter dance last year.