First annual Cinderella Ball draws nearly 300 Maricopa daughters and dads

Every princess has a Prince Charming, and, when you are young, that prince is your dad or your grandfather. Maricopa’s Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department provided Maricopa princesses and their dads a memory book opportunity Saturday evening to attend a Cinderella Ball–with no moms or brothers allowed!

According to PRL Director Marty McDonald, almost 300 daughters and dads attended. Admission was two cans of food, and the event generated close to 500 cans, which were donated to Community of Hope for their food drive.

PRL staff members, Maria Billingsley and David Aviles, greeted each couple at the door, presenting the princesses with a carnation and a raffle ticket for the many Cinderella prizes given during the event. Prizes included princess bags, jewelry, CD players and even a chair.

“Tonight’s dance was something to behold,” said McDonald. “It was truly fantastic, and our staff was proud that they created something so fun that the dads and daughters who attended will have a memory that will stay with them for the rest of their life. We are in the business of creating memories.”

Following the success of this year’s event, the PRL Department is looking ahead to next year’s Cinderella Ball. “We are starting to add more family programs, and this event will become an annual tradition,” said McDonald. “We are already looking forward to the 2008 event and have discussed several upgrades in the event from making it more formal, to securing a larger venue, to bringing in a catering company to handle the dinner. We want to do more with this event, and we will.”