SEARCY — Fathers and daughters from all over the state will have the chance to get together and dance, thanks to the Distinguished Young Women of Arkansas’ annual Father-Daughter Snowflake Ball.
From 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday at the Searcy Country Club, fathers and daughters can put on their dancing shoes to spend some time together.
“This is one of our premier fundraisers that everyone loves,” said Cindy Dixon, state chairwoman of the Distinguished Young Women of Arkansas organization.
“[The ball] is a father-daughter bonding time.”
Distinguished Young Women of Arkansas is an official state preliminary of Distinguished Young Women, a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women, according to the organization’s website.
“This is an opportunity for daughters to dress up and for their daddies take them out for a special night,” Dixon said.
This event has become something that’s close to Dixon’s heart.
“I didn’t grow up with my dad, and I would have loved to have this opportunity,” she said. “It’s so important for dads to be in their daughters’ lives. It makes so much of a difference when they become adults, and they need to know that men are there for them as role models.”
This is the third year for the event, and each year the ball keeps getting bigger.
“The first year, we had it at the Searcy Country Club and had about 150 people,” Dixon said.
Last year, the country club was going through some renovations, and the ball was held at Ann’s Bridal in Searcy.
“I think there were over 200 people there,” Dixon said. “It seems to continue to grow.”
The event is not exclusively for fathers and daughters, she said. Grandfathers, uncles and guardians can also participate.
“Anybody who has a young girl in their life can attend,” she said.
Participants will have the opportunity to dance and learn some line dances at this year’s event.
“We’ll have a special daddy-daughter dance,” Dixon said.
There isn’t an age limit on who can and cannot participate.
“If your daughter is younger than 4 or 5 years old, it may not be the environment for them,” Dixon said. “This year I’ve got a couple of girls who are coming with their dads, and one is in college, and another is a senior in high school.”
Participants are asked to show up in their Sunday best at the ball on Saturday.
“We have kids who show up in their Sunday best, to prom-type dresses,” Dixon said. “We’ve had some moms take their daughters to the beauty shop and have an updo done before just make it a fun day for the kids.”
A photographer will be on site to take photos at the event, Dixon said.
“We’re hoping it’ll be a fun night for all,” she said.
Today is the last day to buy tickets to Saturday’s event. Tickets are $25 for fathers and $15 for one daughter, but any additional children’s tickets are $10, Dixon said.
All of the proceeds from the Snowflake Ball will go to the Arkansas Distinguished Young Women scholarship fund. Tickets are available at the Three Rivers Edition office in Searcy, Bobby T’s, Irby’s Dance Studio, Tangerine Turtle and All Around the House/Pool Girls, or by calling Dixon at (501) 230-6084.
In the event of inclement weather, the Snowflake Ball will be rescheduled for Feb. 15.