For over an hour, some area youngsters got a feel for the glitzy life, pampered with colorful manicures, glittered up and their face painted – of course with the option of adding a little bling – all as groovy music played at the Maine Park Leisure Center in Park Ridge.
“Glitzy Girlz: Neon Glam Jam Dance Party” for children age 4 to 11 was held March 4, and also featured a coed dance party.
“I love Glitzy Girls because not only do they cater to girls, they’re also coed. So, boys can come to these events, girls can come to these events,” said Meghan O’Neill, youth and special events supervisor for the Park Ridge Park District.
The Glitzy Girlz occasion was promoted by the Park District as an opportunity for “neon and fun,” giving, “each participant a pampering of glam with neon hair braids, neon makeup sparkle and neon nail polish application,” according to a description of the event.
Participants could decorate a craft with a neon color, adding personal details like jewels and their names. They could also design a beaded bracelet.
The event, which was 1 hour and 15 minutes long, also included games and a retro lights dance party set to popular songs. A neon glam bag went home with each guest.
O’Neill said Glitzy Girlz’s appeal as an event and birthday party choice is, “they both give you outer beauty but then they also pump you up with inner beauty.”
Michelle Binns, of Park Ridge, dropped off her daughter Eliza Binns, 6, to the chaperoned event.
“I hope that she just has a fun time and meets new friends and learns something new,” said Michelle Binns.
Mike Dolezal, of Park Ridge, also brought in daughter Reese Dolezal, 6.
“I think they (Park Ridge Park District) do a good job overall. They have a lot of great programs and the kids always have fun,” the father said.
After the party, Jesica Balaram, of Park Ridge, was pleased to see smiles on the faces of the Balaram identical twins Kavya and Kiran, 6.
“We’ve done these for a couple years now and the girls absolutely love it,” the twins’ mother said.
“It’s just a fun dance party and they get to get all dressed up and they can kind of be girly girls every once in a while.
Gina Narducci, of Park Ridge, mother of Olivia Cisek, stayed with her 7-year-old during the event.
“We’re new to the area,” Gina Narducci said, adding about Park Ridge, “There’s so much to do.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
