Windermere to host first Daddy Daughter Dance

The town of Windermere is hosting a night to remember for fathers and their daughters. 

Windermere will host the first Daddy Daughter Dance Friday, Oct. 6, at Town Hall.

The special dance is a resident-organized event led by longtime Windermere local Milani Walters. 

Walters said mothers who used to be on the committee for Windermere Elementary School’s Father Daughter Dance came up with the idea a few years ago, because the school is no longer allowed to sponsor the Daddy Daughter Dance.

“After the COVID-19 pandemic hit and events were put on hold, the Daddy Daughter Dance never really came back,” she said. “The dances turned into sort of open family events, because the school district wanted all of the events to be inclusive of everyone.”

Walters said she and the other mothers recognized there was still a need for the dance, so they approached Town Manager Robert Smith to see if the town could help host a new event.

“The town was approached by residents who wanted to create an all-inclusive Daddy Daughter Dance, and we were in full support,” Smith said. “Anything the town can do to help promote strong families and a healthy community is something we will always promote.”

MAGICAL MOMENTS

The enchanting evening will include a deejay, photo booth, sweet treats, face painting and crafts.

The event is limited to town of Windermere residents only, and address verification is required for ticket purchase.

However, the Daddy Daughter Dance Committee decided not to include an age limit on the event participation. 

“Some students missed the event because of the pandemic, and then when they came back, it had changed, so some students at the school never got to experience it,” Walters said. “Now, the students that are maybe in middle school who had previously attended the elementary school can attend also.”

In addition to Walters, the dance committee members are Brittany Grier, Kirby Filar, Lana Marchitelli, Jessica Strickland, Caitlin Karr, Amanda Lewis, Lisa Scott and Margaret Ross.

Sponsors for the event are Victoria Jewelers, Horizon Land Management, Land Plus, Greenery Productions, The Heinz Group and Victory Martial Arts.

“We just really think it’s so special,” Walters said. “The girls have been looking forward to this. Every year, it’s a tradition in town. It’s the only time the dads and daughters really get something that’s their own. The girls get to dress up, and they get quality one-on-one time with their dads. It’s a function where it’s not a whole family event. It’s a time for dads and daughters to share a special night with a bond that only a father and their daughter could have.”

When the event was hosted at Windermere Elementary, Walters said there were about 300 attendees. 

The new event has about 200 attendees already through word of mouth and town announcement. 

Although the time of year may change for the event, the committee hopes the dance becomes an annual tradition carried on for many years to come. 

“It’s such a way for them to strengthen their relationships,” Walters said. “It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that creates a memory that stays with the dad and the daughter forever.”