(FREE) Father Daughter Dance: More Than Just Fun

Story by Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer

Story by  Marlys Cervantes | Staff Writer

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
~ Maya Angelou, author

February is the month of sweethearts and love, a time to let those you care about know they are special. Since 2005 the Father-Daughter Dance has allowed dads, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers or other important men to provide girls from baby to 13 years of age a very special evening.

For many, the bond of a father and daughter can be very special. American actress and technology inventor Hedy Lamarr once said, “I am not ashamed to say that no man I ever met was my father’s equal, and I never loved any other man as much.”  Singer Lady Gaga has expressed the hope to meet someone who treats her as well as her dad. Strong and nurturing male role models are important. British Actress Dawn French says, “It was my father who taught me to value myself.”

There are so many reasons to build strong relationships between fathers, or other males who may play that role and daughters, and this event is one way to give time and show love during a very focused, special occasion.

We can give “thanks” in a couple of places for this event. The first might be the Leadership Ponca City program through Ponca City’s Chamber of Commerce, which requires a class project for those going through the program. In 2004, the class decided to take on this event after having heard about a similar one in another state. The Leadership class organized the event with Natalie Fraser as leader (her dad was on the Opportunity Center board at the time), and Fraser has continued it every year since (missing only one year due to COVID-19 when they couldn’t have the dance). She has a small team of her sister-in-law Brook Lindsay and Emily Helling providing the work that needs to be done organizing, as well as numerous volunteers who have helped over the 19 years the dance has continued. 

Of her ongoing interest in this event, Fraser says, “The money raises funds for the Opportunity Center, and it has helped families in the neighborhood where I grew up. Clients have jobs and access to resources.” 

Looking at the exciting night out, there’s no surprise about the growth of the event over the years, and it’s impressive to see what has been added to make it fit the needs of the girls, the community, and the event itself to keep it so beautiful and yet affordable for those desiring to attend.

The first year they only reserved one floor of the Marland Mansion and started out selling 300 tickets. They sold out fast and added 50 more tickets. However, there were so many disappointed girls that year, that they reserved two floors the next year. Some people have suggested moving to a different venue, but Fraser knows there’s no better place to feel like a princess than at the Mansion, and she doesn’t want to give up that locale for the girls. 

They grew to two sessions and now have three sessions. Session 1 is Kindergarten and below (5 years and under). There is a diaper bag and coat check at the door, and there are Potty Mamas in the bathrooms to help girls needing assistance. This is especially important at this first session for the younger girls who may be navigating dresses with frills while trying to take care of business; however, even older girls may need help with fancy dresses when they take restroom breaks. Session 2 is 1st-3rd grade, and Session 3 is 4th-7th grade. 

Various sessions are needed to accommodate the large number of girls interested in this special night. They will likely sell 1300-1500 tickets, a huge increase from that first goal of 300. The tickets are now online and not printed, which has helped streamline the process significantly. 

The committee used to send flyers home from school with the girls, but now they rely on Facebook, radio, and the news, as well as word of mouth to get the word around. Since the event continues to be so well received, this communication seems to be working just fine.

The number of volunteers and those who donate have helped the committee keep the cost of the event down for those who attend. The event has only changed from a mere $10/session to $20 in all these years, even with all they have included. It is important to the team that everyone who wants to attend can do so.

There are T-shirts screened by Whimsy, of course, available for purchase when you buy tickets. Our Opportunity Center truly is successful and innovative.

The volunteers for the event are many. For instance, Teresa Beard, with the Opportunity Center, makes all 4200 cookies for the dance. She also makes the nine gingerbread houses that are raffled off that evening. 

Photography by Jess will be at the event with three different backdrops available, and one free photo will be provided to everyone attending. Princess portrait packages are available for purchase. 

There will be two police officers on-site, and the sheriff sends volunteers as well.

One of those from the Kay County Sheriff’s office who has been an active volunteer for years is Undersheriff Sean Grigsba, husband of the Opportunity Center’s Executive Director Julie Grigsba, who says, 

“This fundraiser is very important to our agency. The proceeds from this dance help pay for the upkeep, repairs, and maintenance of all our group homes, businesses, and vehicles.” 

Since Sean and Julie raised three sons, last year was Sean’s first year to attend a session as a participant, and he will bring his granddaughter Emelia to the first session again this year and then return as a volunteer the rest of the night. 

Although I can’t possibly list all the volunteers, some of the other ongoing ones include the Po-Hi Steppers, Extra Eyes volunteers, and the Bohons taking care of parking. A more complete list of donors and volunteers can be found online. Fraser stresses that although her committee does the prep work throughout the year when it comes down to the event, numerous volunteers come through to make it a success.  

Even Fraser’s own daughter Harper, who first went to the dance with her dad at six months old, joined in as a volunteer the last two years when she decided to scan tickets at the door. The event is a family affair for the Frasers, with everyone onboard ensuring success. 

The 19th Annual Ponca City Father-Daughter Dance was held in Ponca City on Feb. 3, To learn more about this event, you can visit them online at poncacitydance.com or in-store at Whimsy at 318 E. Grand Avenue. You can also find information and some past photos on the Ponca City Father-Daughter Dance Facebook page. 

While the funds raised for the Opportunity Center are the reason the event was first organized, it has grown to mean more to the community. As Fraser looks back at her reason for carrying on with the event, she sees her continuance as being more for the actual dance. With a smile she stresses, “It’s the night of the dance itself – to see the looks of the girls as they feel like they are true princesses in their dads’ lives.” 

So, as Fraser and her team stress, you can dress up in satin and lace, get your hair and nails done at a shop, or you can come in leather, jeans, and boots. Anything goes. The point is, come on out and make that girl in your life feel special – because she is!