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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – Fathers and daughters will have the opportunity to enjoy an enchanting night of quality time, dancing, photos and delicious desserts during the second annual Daddy Daughter Dance in Columbiana.

Last year’s installment of the Daddy Daughter Dance marked the debut of the event and was a success—providing a memorable evening and an opportunity for fathers to spend time with their daughters.

“We did this event last year for the first time. We really wanted to create something that offered an amazing opportunity/event while also helping us to raise money for the kids and coaches in our program,” said Joel Dixon, president of the SCHS PACE Club. “This event gave, and will give, some wonderful memories to little girls and their fathers or another significant person in the child’s life.”

The Daddy Daughter Dance will take place on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 5-8 p.m. in the Grande Hall at Old Mill Square in Columbiana. Proceeds from the dance will benefit the Shelby County High School PACE Club which supports the school’s cross country athletes.

The event will feature various snacks, including cupcakes provided by Pastries on Main, cookies, Chex Mix and water and lemonade. DJ Ricky with Ruston Entertainment will provide the backing music to the event.

“Ricky Ruston DJ’s the event and does a fantastic job of creating a fun environment for the kids and the fathers,” Dixon said.

Additionally, there will be photobooth set up for fathers and daughters to take photos and capture memories to share on social media. There will also be a variety of items on sale, including fun sunglasses and LED bracelets.

“Our team of volunteers do a great job of creating flower arrangements for the tables and making the place look sophisticated and elegant,” Dixon said.

Dixon said that the SCHS PACE Club has two main goals each year in holding the Daddy Daughter Dance.

“First, we want to raise money for our school’s cross country and track teams,” Dixon said. “These programs have grown tremendously, both in numbers of student athletes as well as success at races and meets. The booster club exists to support them and their coaches. That includes providing spirit gear, snacks and drinks for races among other efforts. But we also want to create a first-class event for these kids and the adults in their lives. We want everyone to leave tired and happy and feeling loved.”

In considering the value of the event, Dixon looks to his own experiences with his daughter as a motivating factor in why he believes it’s so important the club makes this event possible for the community.

“My own daughter is a senior this year and will be graduating and moving off to college,” Dixon said. “As that day approaches, I’m very mindful and grateful for memories we’ve made over the years. I hope I’ve had opportunities to set a standard for how she should expect to be cared for, whether that be from a boyfriend or her husband.”

Despite the name, grandfathers, uncles, stepdads—any significant male role models—are invited to the dance to share a special evening with their kids.

“We realize there are some kids in our community who may not have a father in their lives from all sorts of reasons,” Dixon said. “This event serves as a great chance for some other important person in that little girl’s life to make her feel special, to pour into her in the same way. It might be a step-dad, a grandparent, an uncle or a close family friend.”

Tickets for the Daddy Daughter Club are $30 for a couple which includes a father and daughter and tickets for additional siblings are $10 each. The dance will be held at 125 Walton St. Columbiana, AL 35051.