FAIRMONT– Project 1590’s Kids Just Want to Have Fun committee will put on its annual father-daughter dance this Saturday, Feb. 11. Proceeds from the tickets will go toward various features and events that the group supports and plans.

The dance will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the basement of Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont. This is a change of venue from previous years.

Laura Olsen, a member of the committee and organizer of the dance, explained that they had selected the date based on what worked best for the committee and that Bethel Church, where the dance was previously held, was booked for another event. In addition to Bethel, the dance has also been held at the Red Rock Center for the Arts.

“We’re going to try it out at Grace this year,” Olsen said.

This is the fifth year that the group has held the dance and Olsen noted that the event has grown every year. Last year they had about 100 families, or 200 people.

“It started really strong so we weren’t sure what to expect but it continues to grow through word of mouth and as families grow,” Olsen said.

Families from all over Martin County and the surrounding communities can come to the dance. Olsen said the age range of the young ladies varies, they just ask that they’re accompanied by an adult male.

Once again the Fairmont Opera House will serve as DJ for the dance. The night includes more than just dancing, though.

“We’ll have a blow-up, light-up photo booth that will have a lot of extra accessories that you can wear for the photos. There will be pizza and snacks and a giant connect-four and giant checkers along with some other floor games,” Olsen said.

Money from ticket sales goes toward the upkeep and maintenance of several features that the Kids Just Want to Have Fun committee is responsible for, including the indoor playground at Five Lakes Centre and the mini golf course near the Fairmont Aquatic Park, as well as future projects.

“Right now our current new project is the bike share program,” Olsen said.

The group has proposed the idea to the Fairmont Park Board, which has supported it. Olsen said they’re working on finding support for installation, as well as securing insurance for the program. She said they’re hopeful the program will be in place by this summer.

Aside from supporting exiting and future programs, leftover money from tickets will go toward next year’s father-daughter dance, as well as the mother-son event that the committee puts on in the fall.

In addition to the father-daughter dance and mother-son event, last year the group put on a community Easter egg hunt for the first time.

“It blew our minds how big of a turnout that was,” Olsen said.

The group plans to hold the event again this year, on Saturday, April 8 at Cedar Creek Park in Fairmont. Along with that, it is planning to hold a breakfast on the farm event in May. Last year’s debut event was held at Heritage Acres but Olsen said this year they’re working with the Farm Bureau on holding it on a real farm.

If families would like to get pre-sale tickets for the dance, there is a $5 savings. Tickets can be purchased at the Martin County library for a suggested cost of $20. Otherwise, tickets are available the night of the event for a suggested cost of $25.

“That’s per family. If there’s a dad with three daughters, it’s just $20 or $25 for all of them,” Olsen said.

Olsen said the committee would like to thank the various local businesses that support their initiatives and help them out where they need it.