She’s only 3 years old, but Jude Arroyo still loves to slip into a fancy dress and have her hair look just right, and a recent Baby Prom event at the Evergreen Park Public Library was a perfect occasion for it.
Jude was joined at the prom earlier this week by 10 of her contemporaries, whose dates for the event were their parents and grandparents.
“She’s a girlie girl, especially when it comes to having a dress,” said Nohe Arroyo, Jude’s dad, as he put a barrette back in his daughter’s hair at her request. “She’s an only child, so any time she can be around kids, she loves it.”
Like the other kids there, Jude loved dancing — or even just swaying — to a playlist of children’s songs along with dance favorites “YMCA” and “Dancing Queen.”
“We have her in all kinds of sports, but she says she only likes ballet,” her dad said, as he helped his daughter decorate colorful pieces of paper with glitter at an arts and crafts table.
A machine spewed out bubbles for them to try to catch, and the wall spectators included stuffed animals and other toys.
But the center of attraction was an inflatable pool filled with bright plastic balls. Kids loved it, though several had to be warned against diving in when there was already a baby sitting amid the balls.
Graham Funk, 2, enjoyed running around trying just about everything, spending time in the pit but also playing with a tambourine.
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“It’s just something fun to do with my grandson,” said his chaperone, Diane Doherty. “He’s the cutest prom date I ever had. He’s having a blast.”
Not yet a year old, Markeya Smith was bedecked in a frilly pink dress. Her mom, Marva Smith, said she, like many of the others, enjoyed dancing to any music.
“She was eating her dress earlier, but she loves it,” Smith said with a laugh.
Laura Meyer, the library’s head of Youth Services, said she started the event several years ago but it took a hiatus during the pandemic.
“So the babies can dress up,” said Meyer, who also participated in some dancing herself. “We don’t always reach very small kids.”
Plus, Meyer said, “Everyone likes to look at cute babies dressed up.”
Library director Frank Murray celled the event “adorable.”
“It is a great example of how creative our staff is when it comes to providing engaging programming for our youngest patrons and their families,” he said.
Parents enjoyed the Prom, too.
“I love the concept of kids getting to dress up to have fun,” said Brittni Roberts, who brought her daughter, Baniya. “She had a dress from a wedding and it was a nice way to reuse it.”
Sarah and David Otto sat on the floor with their 14-month-old as she explored various toys.
Catrina Jefferson watched her 18-month-old grandson, Pryce, who went from toy to toy, deciding which to try.
“He’s scoping everything right now,” said Jefferson. “The library always has these really nice programs.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.