Oakdale Sunrise Rotary is beaming with excitement at the success of their inaugural “Boots and Bows” Father/Daughter Ball, hosted in February at the Gene Bianchi Community Center. Attendees enjoyed dancing, food, an enormous candy table and chocolate fondue station, raffle prizes, and more. There were a few unexpected surprises as well.

The first 100 girls were given complimentary corsages, courtesy of Sunrise Rotary members and family members who helped put them together. There was also a surprise face painter, who was on hand to take special requests and make the young attendees sparkle and shine. Complimentary photos were also taken by Amy Velasco of Nfinity Pro Photography, with a Western-themed photo booth. All attendees were given a free drop-box link where they could retrieve photos from the special night.

“It was everything that I pictured it to be and hoped it would become,” said Rotary member and event coordinator Patrick Mondragon. “Little girls showed up in dresses and cowgirl boots, and dads were looking quite dapper as well.”

The age range spanned all the way from preschool to high school for attendees, commented Mondragon.

This event received an outpouring of support from local vendors and organizations as well, who donated raffle items, gift certificates and food for the event. More than 20 raffle prizes were given out, including a hover board and fire pit complete with a full s’mores kit.

The night consisted of line dancing, father/daughter slow songs, country music and a little pop music as well.

“We couldn’t be happier with this event,” said Sunrise Rotary President Scott Jaspar. “We will definitely be doing this again next year, so mark your calendars.”

Mondragon said the “vision was to create a family-friendly event that would bring the Oakdale community together, while allowing male figures to bond with their precious little ones. This event did exactly that, and it was so rewarding to see the enormous smiles on those little girls’ faces.”

Not only did dads accompany their daughters, but there also were some grandfathers and uncles joining in the fun.

“I was smiling the entire night as we watched those happy faces,” said Rotary Treasurer Linda Kemppainen.

A few of the moms didn’t want to miss out on the action, so they volunteered to help out, and got to see the festivities as well, creating a win-win for everyone. To cap off the evening, one last slow song was played, and the table center pieces consisting of flowers in mason jars were given away to attendees.