Between dances, cookie sales and card-making workshops throughout the weekend, Franklin County residents were feeling the love ahead of Valentine’s Day.

One event that brought families together to celebrate the holiday was the Greenfield Moose Lodge’s eighth annual Father-Daughter Dance. The beloved tradition has become one of the Moose Lodge’s most popular events.

Come Saturday night, the 20 School St. building was full of little girls in red and pink dresses accompanied by their fathers, all dancing to tunes picked by local DJ Robert “Bobby C” Campbell.

Moose Lodge Vice President and dance organizer Brian Noga said the event provides a space for quality time between fathers and daughters, which fosters healthy relationships. In addition to creating strong bonds, it’s simply fun for everyone involved, he said. Some families come back year after year for the big night at the Moose Lodge.

“Little girls look forward to it year-round,” Noga said.

The Martin family of Greenfield is one such family. Adam Martin attended Saturday’s dance with his four daughters, who range in age from 2 to 11, as he does each year.

“I’m teaching the girls just how special they are,” Martin said.

With no age requirements, adult daughters attended as well. Shelburne resident Jim Stacy came with his daughter, Crystal Wilder, who now lives in Athol.

“It’s nice to spend time together no matter how old or young you are,” Wilder said. “I am still his daughter.”

Earlier in the day, residents celebrated the more romantic side of Valentine’s Day at the First Congregational Church of Montague’s “Cookie Walk” fundraiser.

Here’s how a Cookie Walk works: Members of the church donate a plate of cookies. Guests then come to the event, buy a box and pick out a collection of homemade treats for their special someone.

The Cookie Walk also included tables where attendees could make their own bouquets of flowers, craft Valentine’s Day cards or buy other potential gifts from vendors.

This is the first year the event was hosted for Valentine’s Day, but the organizers are planning to host a similar event for Easter.

“It makes people feel warm,” said Jean Darling, one of the Cookie Walk organizers. “With all bad things happening in this world, we need something happy.”

At the same time as the Cookie Walk, children gathered at Carnegie Library in Turners Falls to make Valentine’s Day cards for the people who are special to them.

“Love is important because it’s always good to be nice,” 7-year-old Shelburne Falls resident Issa Peardon said while making her card.

Makayla Skubel, the new children’s programs assistant, organized the card-making activity as her first special event in her new position. She explained she always loved Valentine’s Day growing up, making gift baskets for her friends every year, and is happy to celebrate it with the children at the library.

“It gives the community something fun and free to do,” Skubel said.

In addition to running the one-off card-making workshop, Skubel runs a weekly playgroup and storytime.

“It’s good to show your appreciation to people. It is a way to experience your own joy,” Skubel continued.

When asked why Valentine’s Day is special to him while he crafted his card, 3-year-old Erving resident Joseph “Jojo” Gaudet said he loves stickers, his dog, his family, his friends at playgroup and the library.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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