The dance, held on Feb. 25, along with the annual mother-son dance held on March 1, is a tradition that started more than 40 years ago. The members of the Willow Glen High School Parents Club say keeping the tradition alive is very important to them, so they work hard every year to raise funds for both dances.

"We are one of the last schools I know of that still carries on this tradition," says parent Lois DuBridge. "It's something that the kids and their parents look forward to every year."

On the eve of the father-daughter dance, the school's normally bland-looking cafeteria was transformed into a hippie paradise. Orange and pink beaded necklaces and neon-colored flower rings were given to fathers and daughters at the door. A slurpee machine that made frozen fruit drinks was on hand. Face painting was available and professional pictures were taken of the couples to commemorate the night.

All these festivities were just icing on the cake compared to the night's main event—dancing. Prior to the event, many girls spent hours practicing their swing, twist and line dancing skills. Every year, a trophy is handed out to the best swing-dancing pair, and many students say the contest is very competitive.

"This is a fun event because it's the only time I get to dance with my dad, other than weddings," senior Lindsay Carlascio says. "But my dad and I don't do the swing-dancing competition, we like to watch instead."

Lindsay's father, Dennis, says he looks forward to the dance each year because of the time he spends with his daughter.

"I'm hoping that when Lindsay goes to college, we will be able to find a new tradition to replace this one," he says.

Freshman Rebecca Murday says she overheard older students talking about past dances at school and was excited to attend for the first time.

"This is just a fun experience to get to know each other better," she says. "It's a great bonding time with my dad. Going into high school, I really want to keep my bond with my parents."

Michael Murday, Rebecca's father, says he was a little nervous about the dance before they arrived.

"I can tell this will be a fun night," he says, looking a little relieved after initially surveying the scene. "The decorations in here are really great, it looks like they put a lot into this."

About a dozen parents, led by Jill Kolar, spent two eight-hour days turning the cafeteria into a '70s hangout. Thanks to Kolar, there was not a spot in the room that was without some '70s paraphernalia, including lava lamps, handmade Volkswagen Bugs on each dinner table and hand-cut, neon-colored paper flowers that were either hanging from the ceiling or pasted on the walls.

Working along with Kolar, event planner and parent Wendy Watkins-Smith says she decided to organize both dances this year because she has attended several with her sons. In fact, this year's mother son-dance will be her 10th. She says the event is very special to her and she has created a small gallery of pictures from previous dances in her hallway at home.

"My poor husband never gets to come to the father-daughter dance because we have all boys," Watkins-Smith says.

She expected more than 130 people to come to the father-daughter dance.

It really was a wonderful night for everyone," she says, referring to the father-daughter dance. "Once the lights dimmed and the disco ball started, everyone was dancing and had a great time."