Warner Robins Recreation hosts 8th Annual Father-Daughter Dance

Saturday night marked the eighth annual Father-Daughter Dance held by the Warner Robins Department of Parks and Recreation. Held at the Welston Center on Maple Street, the event was open to girls, ages four years and older, to be escorted by their father, grandfather, uncle, or father figure. The night’s festivities included dancing, dinner and dessert, a photo opportunity with a limousine, as well as a professional photographer onsite to take a keepsake picture for attendees.

Programs Director Dedrick Early said that this year was the first year that online registration for the dance was implemented, which he believes is the reason for this year’s turnout. Early explained that if all the couples who signed up for the event attended, there would be more than 60 father-daughter pairs.

“A lot of times, the father doesn’t get to get that first dance with the daughter until their wedding,” Early said. He explained that the children look forward to the dance, and it is something they will always remember.

Early expressed that sometimes fathers and daughters don’t always spend the most time together, and that the dance is a way to bring them closer. Marquis McGahee, said that he drove two hours to attend the dance with his 10-year-old daughter Tanaila Dixon. McGahee said that he was invited to the event by Dixon, who heard about it from her aunt.

“I want to show her how a man is supposed to treat a lady,” McGahee said.

Brian Graham, who attended for the second year with his daughter Alexis, age 14, echoed McGahee’s thoughts, stating that he wanted Alexis to learn how to be treated in life and on a date as well as how to mingle with people.

Alexis remarked that it is important to spend the time that you have with your father now, because he won’t always be around.

Pierre Nelson said this was the second year that he brought his five-year-old daughter Nyla as well. Nelson said that Nyla had been talking about the last dance and wanted to return. He explained that he is taking advantage of the moments he has with his daughter and also expressed the importance of events like these.

“There are little girls looking for a role model, and just like the ad said, if the father isn’t available, an uncle, brother, or grandfather—or someone in the family—can come in and show support because it does a lot for them mentally as they get older, having that father figure in their life. I think it works wonders, especially at a young age,” Nelson said.

Michael Glanton, who attended with Gabriele, his four-year-old daughter, shared that he wanted Gabriele to enjoy time with him and that he would love to see more fathers bring their daughters to the event. “Come on out and bring your daughters so they can enjoy themselves, they will love it,” Glanton said.

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