Brittany Conley, left, performs ‘Baby’ by Justin Bieber during a family dance Saturday at the Harrod Event Center. Conley’s idea for a family prom inspired the Lima Capabilities Community Club to organize the dance, which was open to anyone.
Mackenzi Klemann | The Lima News
HARROD — Brittany Conley wanted to go to prom with her friends. So the Lima Capabilities Community Club, an adult day support program, organized its own version of prom: an inclusive family dance night at the Harrod Event Center, the first of its kind for the club.
There was no dress code, but Conley and a few of her friends arrived in formal attire. Others dressed casually. Together, they sang karaoke, danced and played games for hours.
The inaugural event was open to the entire community, regardless of age, for the cost of a $10 donation per family.
“We wanted everyone to feel like they could come out and enjoy a night out at a low cost,” said Karrie LaSure, Harrod Event Center director.
The Lima Capabilities Community Club, which teaches self-advocacy, communication and social skills so adults with disabilities can find employment, regularly helps set up events at the event center.
Saturday’s dance was the first event organized by club members, who decorated the event center in blue and white balloons, hand-made paper snowflakes and a “selfie” station to make the place feel like prom.
But unlike prom, there were bounce houses on the dance floor. Families could play bingo, board games or compete in a snowball fight. And there was karaoke in the back, where Conley could be found singing to Justin Bieber or dancing to the Cupid Shuffle.
“It’s just fun,” Conley said.
