Around 60 fathers and daughters showed up Saturday, February 12, at the Gilpin County Community Center to participate in the annual Dad and Daughter Dance. With Valentine’s Day two days away, it was an opportunity for dads to show their love and appreciation for the young sweetheart or sweethearts in their lives. The girls got to spend quality time with their fathers during an outing designed especially for the both of them.

Valentine-themed decorations and crafts on the tables provided nice ambiance and a place to dine before hitting the dance floor. Heart-shaped balloons were scattered about to kick around or play with. The limbo proved popular as attendees lined up to test their skills. Dancing between dads and daughters under dimmed lighting created lasting special moments.

Of course, the official name of the event is the Dad & Daughter, Dance & Dive, so after cutting the rug for a while everyone hit the pool. The waterslide was in continuous use and some of the father-daughter teams slid down in tandem. Jubilant girls splashed and laughed. A few of the dads tossed their daughters out of the water for a soft aquatic landing while other girls simply hitched a ride, clinging on the secure and caring backs of their fathers.

For more information about upcoming events at the Gilpin County Community Center, go to www.gilpincommunitycenter.org or call 303-582-1453.