In his younger years, Wiscasset's Schuyler Fairfield would go dancing four times a week. There were a lot of places to go dancing then, from Woolwich to Damariscotta, he said.

On February 14, he put on a tie and went to the Wiscasset Community Center's father-daughter dance. He was there with daughter Marita Fairfield and her daughter Marguerita, 9.

“This is three generations,” he said.

“It's wonderful,” said his granddaughter, in a sparkling green dress and a matching flower in her hair. “I get to dance with Granddad, and he's a great dancer.”

Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department staff member Bonnie Blagdon said seeing families all dressed up makes the annual dance one of her favorite events all year.

Blagdon pointed out Anneliese Hunter, in a tiara and the dress the 4-year-old had been waiting for a chance to wear.

The girl picked it out in a bridal shop a year ago, her father Keith Hunter said.

“It didn't even fit her yet, but she wanted it.”

Family events like the one Friday night at the center hold added meaning for Keith Hunter.

A few years ago, he was so badly injured in a motorcycle accident, the Wiscasset man said he wasn't supposed to survive. And if he did, he wasn't expected to ever be able to walk again.

Hunter believes his little girl and her two siblings are why the accident didn't kill or paralyze him.

“I have three kids I'm supposed to be here for, doing my duties,” he said.