Niles District Library hosts Mother’s Day Dance Friday
Published 9:03 am Monday, May 8, 2017
Conner Turnbow and Devon Allen, of Cassopolis, take a spin on the dance floor during the Mother’s Day Dance. (Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
Erika and Morgan Stoops, 3, dance together at the Niles District Library. (Leader photos/KELSEY HAMMON)
Anisha Silcott (left), 9, and Colyn Ucag, 8, both of South Bend, try out some new dance moves. (Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
Evelyn Canales, of Buchanan, dances with her son, Yeshua Bcooks, 2, Friday at the Niles District Library. (Leader photo/KELSEY HAMMON)
As the DJ cranked the tunes, the Niles District Library rotunda became a dance floor for the third annual Mother’s Day Dance Friday night.
Dressed in matching shades of blue, 7-year-old Conner Turnbow spun around the dance floor with his mom, Devon Allen, of Cassopolis.
The mother and son duo were one of more than 30 people in attendance when the dance started at 6 p.m. The event was free and open to the public.
Event coordinator Tara Hunsberger said the dance draws more people each year. The event includes dancing, arts and crafts, and refreshments.
Hunsberger said the library aims to give moms a chance to relax and spend time with their family in a fun way.
“Moms work really hard
everyday all day long,” Hunsberger said. “Sometimes it is just fun to cut loose and relax.”
For some families, the dance has become a tradition.
Last year, Allen and Turnbow attended the dance. The two had so much fun that Allen said they felt compelled to return the following year.
For Erika Stoops, of Dowagiac, the dance offered a chance to spend some quality time with her daughter, Morgan, 3.
Stoops said she heard about the dance while dropping Morgan off at the library’s story time and saw an opportunity to spend time together.
“It is nice to spend time with just her and enjoy some dancing,” Stoops said.
Others on the dance floor demonstrated their moves.
Chrystal Hoadley and her son, J.J. Hoadley, of Niles, danced to “Don’t Believe Me Just Watch” by Bruno Mars.
Chrystal said she has attended the dance in the past, and enjoys seeing J.J. go from wallflower to dancing without a care.
Chrystal and her family also participates in the Father’s Day Dance the library hosts in June.
“Dancing with my kids is what I most enjoy about it,” Hoadley said.
Hunsberger credited the library staff for helping the annual event come together, as well as the volunteer DJ.
“We are a real team here,” Hunsberger said. “Not just today, but any day.”
Additionally, , she hopes the event shows that the library is more than a place to pick up books, she said
“This shows that the library is also a place for the community members to have fun together and enjoy each other interact,” Hunsberger said. “It brings people into the library that maybe would not necessarily think to come here.”
