Fun was in the air last Saturday afternoon as children got their groove on at the first Delaware Youth Center Kids Dance Party.

Starting at noon, kids Pre-K through 2nd grade took to the dance floor for fun and excitement. At 2:00, 3rd grade through 6th grade students had their time on the dance floor.

The event’s conception and goal is to get local area students out of the house.

“It’s been a long winter. We’re here for the community and we’re here for our kids,” explained Delaware Youth Center Board Member Peg Luty. “The idea was a brainstorm of one of our community members Tera DiTommaso [with her] daughter.”

DiTommaso has her own 6 year old and she herself loves to dance.

Combining the two ideas, this led to an opportunity to get the kids out of the house.

The event saw roughly 75 to 80 kids from the Pre-K to 2nd grade group alone.

According to Luty, there were good sized lines earlier in the day to buy cookies, cupcakes and hotdogs.

At one point, Luty and Meryl Sheridan, another Board Member, were overwhelmed trying to “get everyone situated.”

“We had so many young children in the community [I didn’t know how many there was]. When I saw, I was amazed!” stated Sheridan.

Tickets were distributed and would net the buyer certain amenities throughout the evening and food with the ticket.

For example, $10 would net the purchaser all the games and dancing, one hot dog, one snack and one drink.

Parents or chaperones were asked to stay with the younger dancers with a provided special parent room while older kids were welcomed to dance the evening away under the supervision from Delaware Youth Center Event Committee Members, volunteers and Sullivan West high schoolers.

The Delaware Youth Center is hoping to hold the event again without having to wait another year.

“I think it’s a nice opportunity for the kids to get together,” noted Luty. “We’ve got this space [the Youth Center] why not use it?”

Luty floated the idea of possibly having the event again in two months before school is out.

In addition to the Pre-K through 6th grades, Luty noted that some parents also brought along 2 and 3 year olds to join in on the fun.

Luty also reminds the community to not forget to renew their Delaware Youth Center membership.

“I’m overwhelmed [at the success],” said Luty. “It was very successful,  and we are very happy.”