Young ladies arrived at the ball and promptly left their “dates” behind.

Wearing sparkling dresses and bows in their hair, ladies between 8 and 12 years old rushed toward the dance floor at the Parks and Recreation Department’s 4th Annual Daddy & Daughter Valentine Ball on February 7, leaving their fathers, grandfathers, and uncles at the tables set for dinner. More than 100 guests enjoyed the ball held at Newtown Community Center where they shared dinner and dancing.

The sold-out event was ready to “rock and roll” as soon as the DJ had set up, recreation Director Amy Mangold said. She and other department staff quickly arranged buffet tables with dinner and dessert, and champagne flutes filled with sparkling soda and sweet red cherries.

Newtown’s new community center offered a “beautiful space,” for the event, Ms Mangold said. Center staff also attended the ball and worked to make the evening run smoothly.

Dressed in suits and ties were the many “dates” who soon enjoyed a quick dinner with the girls.

Following a hula-hoop contest, music changed rapidly from one song to the next and dads trickled into the sea of swirling dresses.

Among those filling the dance floor were Venezia and William Hope, Emma and Scott Kozek, Katelyn, Lida and Pablo Jimenez, Reagan Garvin (who was peeking over her father TJ’s shoulder during a slower song as he held her up), Tim Sullivan swinging his daughter Mia — her hair flying —Vivian and Phil Tztisi (he somehow ended up wearing a pink bow in his hair matching Vivian’s dress), Sophia and Joey Pedwano, Teagan and Glen McMurdo, Sophie and John Oldi, and Sophia and Andre Silva.

Partying continued for more than two hours during the Valentine’s Day event.

Sign up for more Parks and Recreation events at newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation, or call the office at 203-270-4340. The department is now located at the Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street in Fairfield Hills. Call the Community Center at 203-270-4349 or find them online at newtowncommunitycenter.org.