Families enjoy dancing, activities at Father-Daughter Dance 2025

February 27, 2025

By Daniel Moctezuma

Belton Journal

Fathers and daughters gathered at the Harris Community Center on Feb. 21 and 22 for the annual Father-Daughter Dance 2025, hosted by Belton Parks & Recreation. The event featured dancing, refreshments,

photo opportunities, and a performance by Guzman Ballet Folklorico students.

Charisse Bennett, one of the event organizers, said the fiesta theme was chosen a year in advance.

“It’s always fun to have a party, you know, and a fiesta,” Bennett said. “A lot of people have their fiesta-themed parties around Cinco de Mayo or during Hispanic Heritage Month, so we wanted to do it a little earlier this year and have a great time.”

The event sold out both nights, with 125 attendees each evening.

"There’s lots of activities to do, but of course, the main activity is to dance,” Bennett said. “Tonight, they are creating their own DIY maracas, and there are also plenty of photo ops. We’re serving a full taco bar, so there’s a lot of people enjoying that as well.”

Bennett said the Guzman Ballet Folklorico students performed a traditional Mexican dance, adding cultural significance to the night.

“We wanted to highlight the culture in a fun and engaging way,” Bennett said. “Their performance brings energy to the event and gives the kids something exciting to watch.”

The Father-Daughter Dance has been held in Belton for nearly a decade, and Bennett said it remains a popular event.

“Starting in December, we start getting emails and calls about when tickets will go on sale,” Bennett said. “It’s a good night that everybody looks forward to and has made a tradition.”

For some attendees, this was their first time at the dance. Mark Stewart, who attended with his daughter Emilia, said he was glad to take part.

“It’s surreal,” Stewart said. “I grew up an only child, so having a kid of my own, it’s a crazy feeling.”

His daughter, Emilia, said she liked the creative activities.

“My favorite part was drawing on the table and making maracas,” she said.

Jesse Rodriguez and his daughter Amelia Rodriguez attended the dance for the second year in a row.

“We’re trying to go to all the daddy-daughter dances in the area,” Rodriguez said. “I have two daughters, so I went to the Temple one with one of them, and I went to the Belton one with this one. She’s having a really good time. She likes the atmosphere and the extra activities.

Rodriguez said he enjoyed the night. “It’s special,” he said. “I’m looking at her thinking, you know, she was once so tiny. Now she’s dancing right in front of me, just having such a good time.” The dance is expected to return next year.