Joel Groskreutz dances with Lilly Galvin during the father-daughter dance Friday, May 5. Joel’s wife Renae is clapping and cheering in the background.
Fathers, daughters share evening out
Fri, 05/19/2023 - 1:13pm
Even as storms swept through the area, JR’s Barn in rural Waldorf held a father-daughter date night on Friday, May 5.
An event that has been going on since the beginnings of the venue, the annual father-daughter date night gives local fathers the chance to dress up nice with their daughters, enjoy a shared dinner, and dance the night away. About thirty father-daughter couples took part.
As folks began to arrive at 5:30 p.m., Amanda Graham, daughter of JR’s Barn owner Renae Groskreutz, welcomed everyone and showcased each father-daughter couple by introducing them as they gave a 10-second dance bringing them out onto the dance floor.
At 6 p.m., dinner was served by Infinity Catering of Janesville. The dancing started at 7 p.m. and went on for hours.
“We always have a fun time doing this event,” said Groskreutz. “It’s great seeing so many dads come out here with their daughters to enjoy quality time together. That’s what we’re all about here.”
Groskreutz shared that the event has been gaining popularity. “This has been the most people we’ve had at a father-daughter date night,” she said of the crowd. “It really is a blessing.”
As the rain raged and the thunder rolled, the clapping of hands, the stomping of feet, and the beat of the music flooded the barn with the sounds of happy fathers and daughters spending a part of their Friday night spending some valuable time together.
Sam Steffel, who brought his daughter to the dance, said he had a good time. “It was nice to have a night out with my daughter for a while,” he said.