Pictured, from left, are Jamestown resident Pete Johnson with his stepdaughters, Lillian Stormount, 7, and Julia Stormount, 5, both students of C.C Ring Elementary School, at the Jamestown Area YMCA’s inaugural Father/Daughter dance, which took place at the Y’s Downtown Branch, Feb. 17.

The Jamestown Area YMCA held its inaugural Father/Daughter Dance (Enchanted Memories) at the Jamestown Area YMCA’s Downtown Branch, with approximately 70 attendees who ate, danced and partied the night away, Feb. 17.

The YMCA’s core focus is on providing programs which focus are on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, and by having a high-quality, low-cost event such as this it would seems they covered all three of the core pillars of focus.

“We had hot, heavy finger foods, a hot fudge fountain and caramel fountain, sweet treats and fresh fruits and vegetables along with water and punch for our members and potential members to enjoy,” said Christopher J. Blakeslee, the marketing and development director for the Jamestown Area YMCA. The aim and goal of this event was to provide a low-cost, high-quality, Father-Daughter dance for the entire community. To me, it seems like with so many split, or challenged families in the area that giving fathers, grandfathers, uncles or positive-adult male role models a chance to spend quality time with their little princesses and show them how they should be treated is paramount, and just a good thing we should focus on.”

The Y’s lower gym was adorned with hearts, balloons, heavily decorated tables, a photo booth, dance floor, buffet table, treat tables, fresh fruits and vegetables and many other love-themed apparel and designs.

This event was so important for the YMCA that even its most senior management was involved.

“Our CEO, Mark Eckendorf was the event’s DJ,” said Gina Bloomquist the Jamestown Area Y’s downtown branch school age and family director. “Mark, or when he’s in this roll likes to be called DJ- Mark E, did an outstanding job playing a variety of music for everyone to dance and jam to.”

As the night came to a close one final slow dance for the event attendees took place, then for the suite and tie clad dads, grandfathers, uncles and their elegantly dressed “dates” excited the building arm-in-arm or holding hands, and an enchanted memory was made.