Richland Academy was transformed into a magical kingdom on Saturday night for the celebration of Cinderella’s Ball, a father and daughter dance and fundraiser for the nonprofit school of arts. One hundred and ten girls attended, dressed as princesses with their fathers or grandfathers as their dates.
The event is in it’s fifth year and although originally slated for January 25, rescheduling didn’t negatively impact attendance. Total attendance was 209.
According to Sarah Horrigan-Ramos, who organized the event for Richland Academy, “Not only is this a magical evening for our princesses, but our dancers as well. Our oldest two companies help with so much of this event from setting up last week on days they didn’t have school, decorating beautiful pointe shoes for the silent auction, helping with coat check and serving the food. The RADE girls understand how much fun the princesses have seeing them in the costumes and dancing on stage. I know what great kids our dancers are, but it always brings me so much joy seeing them interact with the young girls who look up to them so much.”
Many attendees have come in years past. According to Chris McNary this is his daughter Zoe’s fourth time attending the dance.
“It’s the second best night of the year after Christmas,” says repeat attendee Ellie Wilging.
The evening began with cocktails and appetizers served by a roaming corps of volunteer waitresses, who were older girls that participate in Richland Academy programming. During the cocktail hour the “princesses” and their daddy dates could have a professional photo taken in front of Cinderella’s carriage.
Following cocktail hour the princesses entered a grand dining room, which on a typical day is the cafeteria at the school, but Saturday was filled with linen-topped tables, sparkling lights, balloons, and royal centerpieces. Each “princess” and her “king” were formally announced upon entering the dining room.
Volunteers served plated meals prepared by Ed Picken’s Cafe on Main. Even kid-friendly options such as chicken fingers were available.
“This event is successful because of all the people who help and volunteer their time and I am so grateful to them,” said Horrigan-Ramos.
After dinner the “princesses” were treated to a candy buffet and pampering station. The pampering station was outfitted with glitter sprays and colorful clip-in hair extensions so the “princesses” could enhance their hairstyles before the dance.
A mixture of current pop, and classics their dads would appreciate, filled the ballroom as the “princesses” danced, bounced, and giggled.The tune selected for the first father and daughter slow dance was Elton John’s “Your Song.”
“It was a lovely evening for the dads and their daughters and hopefully full of great memories, I mean, a night with your dad, dinner, dancing and glitter…. what more can a girl ask for?” said Horrigan-Ramos.
The girls were also treated to a ballet performance of Cinderella by members of the RADE dance company, a student dance organization at Richland Academy.
(Note: See additional gallery of photos, above left.)
“It was a lovely evening for the dads and their daughters and hopefully full of great memories, I mean, a night with your dad, dinner, dancing and glitter…. what more can a girl ask for?” said Sarah Horrigan-Ramos.
