Need a Night Out? Take Your Daughter to a Dance

If you’re bummed about the and looking for something else fun to do with the children this weekend, consider attending the on Friday.

The dance takes place from 7-9 p.m. at the Community Educational Resource Center, 455 E. Scripps Rd. in Lake Orion. This event has been taking place for at least 20 years, with dads, uncles and grandfathers dancing the night away with the girls in their lives. No, not their wives — their daughters, nieces and granddaughters.

“It is a terrific event, tons of fun,” said Ben Gerdeman, enrichment supervisor for Lake Orion Community Schools. “It’s neat to see the dads and grandpas just pouring in and making their daughters or granddaughters feel special.”

Gerdeman said he brings his 9-year-old daughter every year.

“It’s a fun date night,” he said. “A lot of folks will go out to dinner beforehand and make it a pretty formal event. Plus, the girls like to dress up and look pretty.”

Not only is this event fun, Gerdeman said, but the concept is important, too. It’s important to have one-on-one time with your father, he said, so it opens the line of communication. He also noted that while the girls who attend tend to be between the ages of kindergarten through middle school, a lot of high school students volunteer their time at the event.

So far, about 350 people are registered to attend for a night of fun-filled dancing to tunes such as the Cuban Shuffle, the Chicken Dance, YMCA and more. Cookies, punch and a free 4-by-6 inch photograph will be available on-site for attendees.

Girls age 5 and older are welcome to attend. Tickets cost $10 per person and may be ordered online at rp.lakeorion.k12.mi.us. For additional information, call 248-693-5436, ext. 1.