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T he scene on the dance floor wasn't the usual couples moving to the beat. Foursomes, fivesomes and even single dancers attended the fifth annual Parent-Child Sweetheart Dance recently at the Jean Shepherd Community Center in Hammond.
"They were playing my favorite music, and I even danced with my sister," said Austin Murphy, 17, as he left the dance floor with sisters Jaanei Murphy, 9, and Jada Comer, 2. "We're all tired."
Hope Comer decided to bring her family after hearing about the event from the kids' school, Maywood Elementary.
"It's real exciting to be here," Comer said. "There's not a lot for the kids to do on a winter weekend. This is perfect."
Besides music from DJ "Venom" Casey Ramos, the crowd of more than 500 ate hot dogs and other treats. Family photos were available for purchase, and the Hammond Police Department offered free fingerprinting and photo IDs for the kids.
Isa Bridges of Hammond and her children, N'Jima, 13, and Imarca, 9, patiently stood in line while the kids were fingerprinted.
"It's wonderful that they are having this type of event," Bridges said.
The dance began as a way to promote family unity. With reasonable ticket prices and positive word-of-mouth advertising, the crowd has increased each year.
Although the balloon-twisting artists and face-painting volunteers were absent this year, no one seemed to mind. Attendees shifted their focus to the dance floor, as was evidenced by the almost empty tables and jam-packed dancing area.
Young boys barely out of the toddler stage danced with their mothers and one another, and groups of pre-teen girls gathered on the dance floor.
"The most fun thing tonight is being together with my best friend," said Stephanie Banville, 9, as she and Aneesia Echols, 9, took a break from the dance floor. "We're having a great time just dancing around."
Sisters Jada Printman, 7, and Janna Printman, 8, asked their parents to have their picture taken by a professional studio during the dance.
"I had to remind the girls that we brought our own camera and had taken many pictures already," said their father, Jermaine, with a laugh. "They had forgotten, since they were so busy on the dance floor.
"We're all getting a lot of exercise tonight since they keep making their mom and me dance with them."
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