By KRISTI MAYFIELD
For seven years in a row, the Boots and Bows Dance has continued to bring many dads and their daughters out to the dance floor and this year’s dance was no exception. Everywhere you looked at the Bianchi Community Center on Friday evening, Feb. 7, there was a sea of young ladies in colorful dresses surrounded by doting dads wearing their cowboy hats and wranglers, which appeared to be the official uniform of attendees.
Oakdale Sunrise Rotary was proud to sponsor this event – hosted around Valentine’s Day – once again and as Diana Garcia, President, noted, “More than anything, we want families to come together and this is a great way to do it.”
For Garcia, this was definitely a family affair as she brought her daughter along with her parents and they all helped to make the evening a smashing success. Local businesses donated to the event and there were both silent auction items to bid on and tickets for raffle prizes available. Even former business owners contributed to the event, such as MaryAnne Heath, former owner of Moss Rose Bakery, who donated more than 300 cookies shaped like little bows and boots to the event.
Each year, dads and daughters from the surrounding communities come out to attend this very special dance. Some, such as Tony Nava and his daughters Leilani and Arianna, have attended the past three years in a row. Some young ladies such as Kenzie Alarid knew a lot of the dance routines and gave her dad Chris a run for his money out there on the dance floor.
“This is our third time coming and she just loves it and she takes dance lessons so she is really good out there,” dad said as he watched Kenzie shine on the dance floor.
From the balloon animals made for the occasion to the photo booth to the music that catered to the young dancers, the event was a celebration of families and the bonds that dads and daughters share.
For more information on this event or future events sponsored by the Oakdale Sunrise Rotary, visit https://oakdalesunriserotary.org/
