TEMPLE, Texas — Years ago, when my two daughters were in middle school, my father-in-law and I took them to a Father / Daughter dance. We spoiled the girls for the night. Now that my oldest has 2 kids of her own, I recently asked her what she thought of the dance. She said that although she was a little embarrassed at the time, she now looks back on it with wonderful memories and was so glad she did it.
Well, dads and daughters of Central Texas, now you have a chance to make those memories of your own!
The Temple Parks and Recreations Department's first event of 2024, the annual Father-Daughter Dance, will be held on Friday, Feb. 2, and Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Mayborn Events Center, located at 3303 N 3rd St. in Temple.
"This is a very exciting year for us because we have some upgrades for this event," said Amanda Weckbacher, the Special Events Coordinator for the City of Temple. "Throughout the years we have had kind of the same theme, so it's kind of Valentines and hearts and this year we have some beautiful new decor and some beautiful new flowers and just some new experiences all together that we are just excited to offer."
The cost to attend the dance is $15 per guest, but girls who pay $20 can get the “Star Experience” of a limo ride offering a treat and selfies and then a live 360 photo shoot at the event.
"Come forget about any responsibilities you have for the night," said Megan Price, Public Relations Coordinator for the City of Temple. "Sing, dance, dance with your dad, we have the limo rides this year, there are sweet treats, come and eat, dance and I think that's what is the emphasis of it. Come and have a fun time with your dad and dress up in whatever makes you feel comfortable and just have a good time."
Central Texas dad Jeffrey Thigpen is no stranger to this event, he has five kids total, four of them daughters, and they will all be going again!
"So I have four girls and they range from age 17 to 5 and it means a little bit of a different thing to each one of them," Thigpen told 6 News. "Hopefully for my 17-year-old, I’m teaching her what it’s like to be on a date with a gentleman and what she should expect and what's appropriate and what's not, and how she should be treated when she goes out with young men. For my younger girls, they just love getting dressed up and having fun with dad!"
"It's just really nice to see them take that moment and take that time and feel important and special on their night," Weckbacher added.
Price said she is jealous that girls in Central Texas can take advantage of a night like this!
"I grew up in a smaller town and we didn't have an event like this," Price said. "But I do think that had we had one it would have been so fun to attend as a young girl!"
Not forgetting the boys, Thigpen even knows what do to for his son while he's with the girls!
"One thing that I enjoy doing as well, I also have a son, and so I’ll slip him 40 bucks and tell him to ask his Mom if she'll take him out to Chick-fil-A and let him pick up the tab," Thigpen told 6 News. "So that he can get some practice doing that as well."
There are two nights of the dance, both Friday and Saturday, with over 100 tables for each night, but tickets are reportedly selling out, so be sure to secure yours while they are available.
Visit templeparks.com to order tickets.
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