Fathers and daughters danced, dined and made memories together at the annual Franklin Park Daddy/Daughter Dance Saturday.
The dance has become a popular tradition in the community, drawing familiar faces year after year for one of the most popular annual Park District fundraisers, according to organizers. The event was held this year at the North Park Banquet Hall in Franklin Park.
“It’s funny because we were talking about it and I think it’s the fourth time we’ve come out,” said Miguel Valdez.
Fathers and their daughters hit the dance floor Feb. 3, 2024 at the “Daddy-Daughter Dance” hosted by the Park District of Franklin Park at the North Park Banquet Hall in Franklin Park.
His daughter is 7, and he admits he doesn’t get enough one-on-one time with her. So, he likes an evening they can have, just the two of them.
“It’s a good time,” he said.
It’s so popular, some attendees say, some of the kids ask to attend.
“She asked me to come out, so of course I couldn’t say no,” said Arturo Rocha, who was with his daughter, Alina, as they attended their second dance in as many years. “We had such a good time, we’re back.”
Park District of Franklin Park officials said over 100 father-daughter duos attended the evening dance, possibly a record turnout – though organizers explained that the turnout might have been bigger because the event’s usual two nights were combined into one.
None of the organizers remember how it started or exactly when—just that it’s years old and popular. And there’s no mystery why the evening is so popular.
“I think for Franklin Park, we’re such a small, close-knit community so we have folks who are [consistently] in our programs,” said Liz Strack, the program and aquatics manager for the Park District.
Fathers and their daughters hit the dance floor Feb. 3, 2024 at the “Daddy-Daughter Dance” hosted by the Park District of Franklin Park at the North Park Banquet Hall in Franklin Park.
Fathers and their daughters hit the dance floor Feb. 3, 2024 at the “Daddy-Daughter Dance” hosted by the Park District of Franklin Park at the North Park Banquet Hall in Franklin Park.
She said those members essentially participate in everything, including attending the dance. Strack said the Franklin Park Daddy Daughter dance is one of the oldest in the area.
“Before, we used to be the only one in the area that had the daddy/daughter dance,” she said. “Now some of the other areas are doing it as well.”
The Park District has expanded its parent-child offering to include, for the first time starting this year, a mother-son outing that was held in January. The $50 ticket to the daddy-daughter event included dinner, a photo, a goodie bag for the daughter, cake and a flower.
But, Strack said, mostly it’s popular for what it is rather than what it offers.
“Just getting to spend that time with their daughters is great,” she said.
Jose Sanchez is another area father and a longtime attendee.
“We come every year,” he said. “We’ve probably been to five.”
His daughter is 11 years old, and he said they both enjoy an evening out together.
Catherine Saponeiri, the Park District’s marketing and communications manager, said the event serves as a fundraiser for both the Park District and the Franklin Park School District 84 PTA. The money raised allows the district to invest in new programs and more.
One of those new offerings is a color run scheduled for April 28, a family fun run where spectators toss colored chalk dust on the runners.
“It should be great,” said Saponeiri.
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.
