Beth Ann Smith and dad Patrick make memories during Daddy Daughter Date Night at the Sparkman Civic Center Saturday evening. | Andrea Williamson

Andrea Williamson

Hartselle Enquirer

Several fathers and grandfathers treated their girls to a special evening during the Daddy Daughter Date Night Fri., June 19, at the Sparkman Civic Center.

The second annual event was hosted by Hartselle’s Parks and Recreation and featured dinner and dancing. According to Parks and Rec Activities Coordinator Staci Segler, attendance had increased from last year. She said that she originally got the idea for the event from another town.

“I attended a Parks and Recreation Conference and heard about this idea from a staff member in Opelika,” Segler said. “They said their fathers and daughters had really enjoyed it.”

For this year’s event, the dads and daughters selected chicken alfredo or chicken fingers with macaroni and cheese. After enjoying dinner on the tables decorate with rose petals, the guests served themselves from an ice cream bar with colorful toppings such as gummy bears and cherries. The guests provided many compliments to Segler, who prepared the food. For some of the daughters, including Carter Driggers, the food was their favorite part of the evening.

“I had the chicken fingers for dinner,” Driggers said. “The food was probably the best part.”

While the food was certainly a popular part of the evening, though, the guests also enjoyed dancing. Following dinner, the fathers and grandfathers were given the opportunity to dance with their daughters to a variety of tunes. All around the room that was decorated with pink and black decorations, the guests danced to a variety of musical styles, everything from slow country tunes and big band music to popular party tunes such as the Cha Cha Slide.

For many of the fathers, though, the dinner and dancing were only a fun part of the evening. The real reason for their attendance was simply to make memories with their daughters. Kevin Beasley, a second year attendee, returned to spend time with his daughters, Elizabeth Williams and Crimson Beasley.

“I brought my older daughter last year,” Beasley said, “but this is my first year to bring both of my girls. It’s great to have father-daughter time together.”

Joshua Driggers, who attended for the first time with his daughter, Carter, shared Beasley’s thoughts.

“We have attended the Chick-Fil-A Father-Daughter Banquet before,” Driggers said “but this is our first time to attend this. I just come to spend time with my daughter.”