POULSBO — Red velvet, Mary Janes, tiaras, satin gowns and a bond that is like no other — that’s what daddy/daughter dances are made of.

More than 300 dads and their dates gathered at the North Kitsap High School gymnasium for the ninth annual Daddy/ Daughter Dance Saturday.

There were plenty of red, pink and glittery balloons, but for the little girls, this was their moment to shine.

The girls, dressed up for their big date with dad, twirled and twisted on the dance floor as their proud fathers joined in.

This was Greg Tieford’s first dance with his daughter Bryce Anne, 9, and her friend Hailey Miller, 7, of Silverdale.

They said they were all having a good time and that “hopefully this will become a ritual for everyone,” Tieford said over the blaring music.

Classics such as YMCA and “the chicken dance” got feet moving while the slow songs tugged at the heartstrings.

Tickets for the Poulsbo Parks and Recreation sponsored event went fast. The event was sold out weeks in advance.