By Kate Irelan
The Hutch Rec Daddy Daughter Date Night this Saturday is in the Cottonwood Court building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds and an “Enchanted Sea” theme will rule the evening with a Finding Nemo performance by Family Community Theatre, snacks, music, games, dancing, a raffle drawing, photo booth, and the popular balloon drop. The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.
Loribeth Reynolds, Hutch Rec Marketing Manager, recommends interested participants buy their tickets in advance because waiting until the night of the event usually creates a long line, and dads and daughters have to wait in the cold before they can get in. Tickets can be purchased online at the Hutch Rec website, or in person at the Hutch Rec office, 17 East 1st Ave. Tickets for dads are $35 and tickets for daughters are $15.
Reynolds said that the event is well over 10 years old and keeps growing in attendance every year. “Attendance last year was 550, and it was our biggest year ever, and this year our goal is to host 600 dads and daughters,” said Reynolds. Registration is already almost 550.
“We’ll have games, DJ Impressions will provide the music for dancing, including the chicken dance and line dances. The limbo is popular and it’s fun to see the dads and daughters do the limbo. The Family Community Theatre cast will perform a couple of numbers from their upcoming Finding Nemo show. We’ll have sweet and savory snack trays too and lots of popcorn.” B. Epic Events will provide a photo booth.
At the end of the night, there will be a raffle drawing. Reynolds said, “And the biggest deal is the balloon drop at the end. A net is suspended from the ceiling with hundreds of balloons. They are released and drop to the floor. It’s mass chaos and so much fun. There’s always lots of happy screaming and popping of balloons.”
Reynolds said that dressing up is not required, and some dad and daughter pairs dress in matching outfits or costumes. “Some dads and daughters have a fun time going all out with their outfits or costumes. With the Enchanted Sea theme, I anticipate we’ll see lots of pirates and mermaids.”
“It is one of Hutch Rec’s most cherished community events. It’s the cutest darn thing,” said Reynolds.
For more information visit Hutch Rec’s Facebook page or call (620) 663-6179.
