Elizabethton Parks and Recreation is getting ready for Valentine’s Day celebrations with not one, but two different dances. While they are similar in concept, they both help to give as many children as possible a chance to spend quality time with family and friends.

Program and Special Events Coordinator Kelly Kitchens said they are holding two Valentine’s Day dances: the regular one on Friday, Feb. 14, and a “sensory-friendly” one the day before.

“This year, it is glow-in-the-dark, ’80s theme,” Kitchens said. “They are encouraged to dress up like the ’80s.”

She said the purpose of the dances is to be as inclusive to as many members of the family as possible. She said many father/daughter dances do not also include a mother/son dance, or vice versa. The dances are a way to bring the family together.

“It is something that does involve the parents,” she said. “It is a great time. It is fun to watch.”

The sensory-friendly dance the night before Valentine’s Day is part of a collaboration between Parks and Rec, Kids Like Us and Curly Communications, who reached out roughly four years ago about the idea. During this dance, there is no glow-in-the-dark, though the theme will still be ’80s.

She said the theme will make this year’s dance extra special, as it will create more opportunities for parents to get involved with their children and spend time bonding.

“Both dances have had a great response,” Kitchens said. “We bring in about a couple hundred people.”

The inclusiveness of the sensory-friendly dance plays into Parks and Rec’s overall goal, she said, to be as inclusive as possible as a department.

“We really strive to build up programs that are already running,” she said. “We do have a large community of families who want them to have the same opportunities.”

Both dances will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at Parks and Rec on West Mill St.

“This has been a huge hit,” Kitchens said. “It is a great way to have a fun night out. Come out and have a great time.”