Father-Daughter Banquet

FATHERS + DAUGHTERS

There is little doubt that fathers and daughters often hold a special place in each others’ hearts. The MAC both cultivates and celebrates this special bond with the annual Father-Daughter Banquet.

In the late spring of 1947, the Club hosted the first Fathers’ and Daughters’ Banquet, which included prizes for the largest amount of daughters and youngest daughter, as well as dancing, singing and even a spelling bee. The inaugural event was such a success that they surpassed the original limit of 525 tickets in the first few days and ended up selling 733 instead.

“The First annual Fathers’ and Daughters’ Banquet held at the Club on Tuesday evening, June 17, was a sensational success and no doubt will go into the MAC social calendar as a permanent event...” said the Cherry Diamond in July of 1947.

As if they knew the future, the Father-Daughter Banquet is still a staple of the MAC calendar after several generations. The event has taken on several different forms over the years from the spelling bee in 1947 to acrobats Leon and Luba in 1985 to dinner theater in 1975 to taking on themes inspired by world fashions in later years. Though the iteneraries of the night has changed a bit over the years, the spirit of the event has never wavered.

When the MAC first conceptualized the event, the worry was that dads would be reluctant to join their daughters on the dance floor at the end of the night. On the contrary, the earliest articles of the magazine indicated that the floor was filled with fathers twirling their girls around the dance floor. This facet of the night has seemed to continue ever since then.

Many famous faces have been in attendance including TV stars Diane Joyce, Russ David and even Stan Musial, who remained good humored as attendees clamored to get his autograph.

Although the social calendar was disrupted this year, Members will be happy to know that the event will still take place, albeit later than usual.

On Wednesday, Aug. 12, MAC dads and their daughters will make their way to the Downtown Clubhouse once again for this iconic and historic event. They can look forward to a magical night filled with dinner, dancing, pictures, carriage rides and entertainment.

FATHER-DAUGHTER SPELLING BEE IN 1947.

FATHER-DAUGHTER BANQUET IN 1964.

FATHER-DAUGHTER BANQUET Wednesday, Aug. 12 5:30-7 p.m. – Reception, pictures, carriage rides 7-8 p.m. – Dinner 8-10 p.m. – Dancing $35.95 plus gratuity for ages 12 and over $26.95 plus gratuity for ages 11 and under Downtown Clubhouse Carriage rides are $10 per person. Reservations are required and can only be made by phone 314-539-4470.