Dads and daughters enchant at Princess Ball
For the past six years, little girls have looked forward to dressing up and attending Peters Township’s annual Princess Ball.
This year – the seventh year for the ball – was no different. The evening of Feb. 8 offered little girls a chance to celebrate Valentine’s Day by having a night out with their dad, uncle, or grandpa. The girls and their “dates” also enjoyed dancing, dinner, and music and had their photo taken to remember the night.
Nearly 150 people attended the Princess Ball, which was held at the Peters Township Recreation Center, said Michele Harmel, the township’s parks and recreation director. The little girls attending were dressed to the nines – many with sparkly dresses and shoes. The dads also dressed up in suits and ties. Many of the dads gave their daughters corsages or flowers for the evening.
“I started it (the Princess Ball) in the last community I worked in and brought the idea with me,” Harmel said.
It wasn’t the first Princess Ball for many of the couples attending.
“Miss the Princess Ball – are you kidding me?” joked Matt Clydesdale of Peters Township, who brought his daughter Chelsie, 5, to the ball, and had a few times before. He said his daughter looks forward to the ball all year and is always asking him when it is going to be held.
Samantha Baumgarten, 4, of Peters Township, came to the ball with her dad, Ken, for the second time. She said she likes coming to the ball to hang out with her dad. Ken Baumgarten added that Samantha has a twin brother, so it’s nice to spend some one-on-one time just with her.
Jerry Moncheck of Peters Township brought his daughter Thomasina, 6, to the ball – their fourth Princess Ball together. “She looks forward to it all year,” Moncheck said of the ball.
“It’s the perfect time,” said Ron Giulianelly of Peters Township about the ball being held at dinner time. He brought his daughter Lili, 4, this year for the second time.
The Hunter family of Peters Township had also attended a previous Princess Ball. Dad Tim Hunter brought his daughters Kara, 11, Sydney, 10 and Marlee, 8, to the ball. Kara said she wanted to come again this year because “I enjoyed it” last year. Both Sydney and Marlee agreed that the ball is a “lot of fun.” Sydney added that her favorite part is the dancing.
Todd Fabic of Peters Township brought his daughter Giana, 6, to the ball for the first time. He said he wanted to bring her because “my daughter is growing up so fast,” so he wanted to spend the time with her.