Pretty princesses
A view of the ballroom filled with happy dads and daughters at the Princess Ball. Decorations, lights, and music all added to the atmosphere of the evening. O’Donohue photo
Pyper Quenneville stands with her father Richard and shows off her princess ensemble, complete with tiara and evening gloves. O’Donohue photo
Michelle O’Donohue
Record Contributor
CHESTERVILLE – It was a magical evening at the Maple Ridge Centre on Fri., Nov. 3, for the third annual Princess Ball. The successful daddy/daughter dance drew in over 220 people with preregistered tickets. The yearly event welcomes dads and daughters of all ages, and provides an opportunity for girls to feel like royalty for a night.
Dressing up is encouraged, and as Maple Ridge Centre owner Rachel Potvin explained, everyone takes this invitation to different levels. Some girls wore princess costumes complete with tiaras, some their Sunday best, and others intricate ball gowns. The event is meant to be a night enjoyed by girls and the father figures in their lives. Potvin said that one of the reasons she wanted to start the annual Princess Ball was that there were not enough events with a dad and daughter focus. Young women were escorted to the ball by their fathers, or, as Maple Ridge Centre’s Facebook page encouraged, “Dads, Uncles, Grandpas, or other adult male father-figures” who were dressed up as well. Potvin concluded that she “wanted to create memorable nights” for attendees.
Memorable indeed, the night was a real fairytale for guests, and included options for carriage rides, manicures, making your own corsage, colouring stations, professional portraits, passed hors d’oeuvres, and toward the end of the night, an ice cream sundae and candy bar. Students and dancers from the Centre’s dance group added extra excitement by walking through the facility in full princess costumes. Midway through the evening, dancers also gave a performance to wide-eyed girls watching in awe.
