TIFTON — Fathers who are looking to take their daughters out for a night of fun and a memory that will last a lifetime are invited to attend the Tiftarea YMCA’s 10th annual Father-Daughter Dance.

The event is open to the public and to all ages, and will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center ballroom, located at 15 RDC Road.

Tickets are $45 per couple and $10 for each additional daughter prior to the event. They can be purchased at the Y, located at 1823 Westover Road. Tickets will also be available at the door for $50.

 Included with purchasing a ticket, couples will enjoy a catered dinner for the first time by Southern Caterers, prepared by Cynthia Harrison, and will receive a father-daughter professional portrait by Sidney Cromer, as well as a keepsake token for the daughters and a chance to win door prizes.

Door prizes include a Stone’s Home Center Oil-less Infrared Turkey Fryer valued at $110 and a silver heart bracelet valued at $101 from Roberts & Company Jewelry Store; a $129 service agreement contract from Cottongim Heating & Cooling, Inc. and a pink pearl bracelet from Central Jewelers; a Grimes Auto service certificate valued up to $50 and an Alphabet Soup gift bag valued at $16; a $25 Harley Davidson gift card and an Alphabet Soup gift bag valued at $14; a $20 Oishi dinner certificate and Tifton Home Center Slumber Party Game large edition; a $20 Lion’s Chasers gift card and Tifton Home Center Slumber Party Game travel addition; something from The Big Store and a girl’s gift basket from Guy’s Drugs Store; two haircut certificates from Transitions; two haircut certificates from City Cuts; Badcock Furniture Kinetic Go Green Premium Produce containers and a $10 Natural Nails gift certificate; and gift certificates from Tifton Lanes Bowling Alley and Taekwondo USA.

Live entertainment will be provided by the local East Beach Blues Band. Members include Jimmy Moore, CEO of the Y; Woody Leonard; Angie Carr; Earl Tukes; Harry King; Barry Coffee; and Kelley Collins. Moore said East Beach Blues is a horn band that plays Motown and rock and roll music. They have been playing together for approximately 10 years.

The Y’s programs director, Stacey McDaniel, said the Y is excited to be celebrating the father-daughter dance’s 10th year.

“This has always been a big event. It’s our biggest fundraiser. It’s a way to give back to the community and for families to spend time together and for dads to have a chance to show their daughters how they should be treated,” she stated.

Also, grandfathers can bring their granddaughters and uncles can bring their nieces — any prominent male figure in a young or older girl’s life. McDaniel noted that mothers are welcomed as well to help with volunteering.

Moore noted that a father, age 70, and his daughter, age 40, have attended all of the Y’s father-daughter dances.

Over 560 folks attended last year’s dance, which was held at First United Methodist Church. McDaniel and Moore advised that due to a large attendance, they decided to move the event to the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center this year, which was suggested by Lt. Steve Hyman with the Tifton Police Department.

“We want it to be a great event for fathers and daughters of all ages,” Moore said. “It’s truly a wonderful occasion for a great time.”

The Y’s athletic director, Ambur Humphrey, stated, “We encourage people to get tickets.”

She and McDaniel advised that they prefer for tickets to be purchased prior to the event. This allows for them to have a head count of how many people will be attending so that catering can be better prepared. McDaniel said they sold over 100 tickets at the door last year.

“We look forward to people coming out to have a good time together. This is a big community event,” McDaniel stated.

Humphrey and McDaniel advised that fathers are not required to wear suits. They can dress in anything that makes them feel special for the evening, and daughters can dress in anything that makes them feel pretty.

For more information, contact the Y at 391-9622 or visit www.tiftareaymca.org.



To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.