SLOUGHHOUSE, CA (MPG) - A classic 1950s sock-hop theme brought poodle skirts, ponytails and plenty of laughter to the annual Daughters & Dates Dance hosted by the Cosumnes River Elementary School PTA.

Held Feb. 21 in the school’s multipurpose room, the “Sock Hop & Soda Shop” event drew about 120 girls and their fathers or “father figures” for two hours of dancing, dessert drinks and photo opportunities.

The dance, which ran from 6 to 8 p.m., is one of the PTA’s most popular events of the school year. Organizer Meghan Kassel said the evening is designed to create a special space for girls to spend time with someone important in their lives.

“This is the fifth year that I have organized the annual Daughters and Dates event at CRES,” Kassell said. “It creates a special space for daughters and their dates to slow down and connect. By hosting it each year, we give the girls a night where they feel celebrated, valued and proud to share time with someone who supports them.”

This year’s theme was inspired by a nostalgic soda-shop idea Kassel encountered while visiting a “dirty soda” pop-up that served creative dessert drinks.

“It immediately brought to mind the idea of a classic soda shop, ’50s vibe,” she said. “When my oldest daughter was in kindergarten at CRES, the dance had a sock-hop theme, and it created such sweet memories. Now those students are in middle school, and my youngest daughter attended her first daughters and dates dance as a kindergartner. It felt special to bring the theme back for a whole new group of girls.”

Thousands of balloons were used to transform the multipurpose room into a colorful space with arches, towers and oversized displays shaped like a jukebox and an ice-cream sundae.

Each girl received a wrist corsage – a tradition included in the price of admission – adding a formal touch to the festive evening.

While many fathers and daughters shared dances together, much of the evening featured groups of girls singing along to their favorite songs and dancing with friends. At one point, the girls formed a lively conga line that wound across the dance floor while fathers stood along the edges of the room smiling and watching the fun.

Many families embraced the sock-hop theme. Girls arrived wearing poodle skirts, ponytails and pastel jackets, while many fathers sported white T-shirts and jeans reminiscent of the 1950s style. Others chose a more formal look, with some fathers in suits and daughters wearing elegant dresses.

Music for the evening was provided by DJ Drew of Drew Gray Media of Wilton, who kept the dance floor lively with age-appropriate hits that the girls eagerly sang along to.

The DJ also brought a photo booth setup with a large mirror that functioned more like a photo studio than a traditional booth. Attendees could take pictures throughout the evening and receive printed photo strips as keepsakes. A projection screen above the DJ booth displayed photos in real time as guests texted images from their phones to a designated number.

In keeping with the soda-shop theme, the PTA created a custom drink station featuring dessert beverages with playful names such as “Jukebox Juice,” “The Pink Poodle” and “The Beach Boys.”

While many families went out to dinner beforehand, the event also offered food on site. A Drewski’s food truck parked outside the multipurpose room served grilled cheese sandwiches and pulled-pork sandwiches for families who wanted a meal before dancing.

The evening was made possible through the work of numerous volunteers. Balloon decorations were designed and assembled by Haley Wong and several friends, while the entire CRES PTA contributed to planning and organizing the event.

For Kassel, the popularity of the dance reflects its deeper meaning for families.

“It becomes more than just music and decorations,” she said. “It’s laughter on the dance floor, twirls in pretty dresses and memories that last long after elementary school ends. For many of the girls, it’s one of those magical, confidence-building nights they will always remember.”