By JACINDA HOWARD, The Mirror

Young girls with bows in their hair and smiles on their faces were basked in attention as they danced the night away Feb. 9 at the Federal Way Community Center.

The festivities were part of the third annual Daughter’s Night Out event, which was created as a way for male role models, many of them fathers, to show the young girls in their life how special they are.

“It’s just an event where the daughters get the attention all night,” said Tarra Reardon, community events and arts coordinator.

Guests enjoyed photographs, carnations, refreshments, balloons and two hours of dancing. Colored lights bounced across the wood dance floor. Tables decorated with pink clothes, red heart centerpieces and cake dotted the seating area. Neckties and elaborate dresses were in high abundance. A variety of music, including slow-paced love songs and fast-paced hip-hop, played from the speakers as young girls and their dates demonstrated their best dance moves.

Godwin Asemota and his step-daughter Riann Proszek, 10, have attended each of the three Daughter’s Night Out events. They commanded their peers’ attention Saturday when Riann, dressed in a white and gold dress, imitated Superman and Asemota played along during one of the night’s songs.

Dancing is the best part of the event, Riann said. Asemota appreciated the safe environment for his step-daughter to express herself.

“The children come here to have fun,” Asemota said. “There’s no holding back.”

Though many of the dancing pairs were father and daughter duos, the event was open to any male and young guest.

“A lot of kids don’t have dads,” Reardon said.

Derek Oberlander brought his cousin Malyssa Clobes, 6. The two claimed a corner of the dance floor, where Oberlander swung Clobes in circles as they both laughed. Oberlander enjoyed the music played at the event and was familiar with many of the songs. Clobes was eager to continue playing with her cousin.

Daughter’s Night Out was yet another way for Robert Forhan to spend time with his daughter Kathryn, 4. Forhan said he tries to include his daughter in activities often, and the event was a way to spend time with her and have fun.

His wife and son plan to attend the city’s first Son-sational Evening in March, Forhan said.

Contact Jacinda Howard: jhoward@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.

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Check it out:

Sons are important too. The city will hold it first Son-sational Evening event beginning at 6:30 p.m. March 15 at the Federal Way Community Center, 876 S. 333rd St. For more information, or to register, call the community center at (253) 835-6900.