BELLE FOURCHE—Dads from around the area took the opportunity to make Saturday, March 7, all about their daughters at the annual Father Daughter Dance.
For the past four years, the annual Father Daughter Dance was put on by a different group. However, this year the event was taken over by Spirit of Cheer and Dance, Inc. “So in the past, father daughter dance was hosted by Belle Silver Lining. This year, they asked us if we would like to take over, because it can be quite a lot of work—so we thought, yeah, perfect and we took over,” explained President Carrie Merjil.
The Belle Fourche Rec Center gym was transformed into a blue and white wonderland with an area for dining, visiting and another area for dancing. Roses in a variety of colors were available to purchase for $5 as a special gift.
With the theme of Denim and Diamonds, the event was a formal affair. Beginning at 5 p.m. with social hour, the participants showed up dressed to the nines. Giddy daughters and happy dads lined up to be introduced during the Grand March.
Spirit of Cheer and Dance planned and prepared a special evening for all of the little girls and their special escorts for the night. Escorts were usually dads, but could also be a grandpa, a family friend, an uncle or anyone special in the child’s life.
Beginning at 6 p.m., a dinner of chicken or pork was served. Some of the Belle Fourche Cheerleaders were on hand to help serve food and keep the event rolling.
Throughout the evening door prizes were handed out.
The dance began at 7 p.m. The fathers and their daughters lined the dance floor for a variety of dances including group line dances that had everyone on their feet. Laughter filled the air.
Spirit of Cheer & Dance works to support cheerleaders and dancers in the Black Hills area and provide financial assistance to those who may need it. The dance was a fundraiser for the group and Belle Fourche Cheerleaders were on hand to help out. “‘The cheerleaders are here, part of getting a scholarship from Spirit of Cheer and Dance is donating 100 hours to our organization during your school year. So a lot of these are seniors,” explained Merjil “Also, for the cheerleaders that are going to the Macy’s Day Parade, we’ve asked that they donate five hours to our organization and write us a note saying why they choose cheerleading.” Tickets sold for $60 a couple and over 70 tickets were sold.
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