[Organizers] Getting families out to dance in the early evening... timing thoughts?

Hi All, I'm looking for advice on timing our evening community dances for families. This season we had four community dances (barn dances) from 630-730 and then had a contra beginner lesson from 730-8pm and contra from 8-11pm. (There were also potlucks from 5-630pm.) We're going to continue community dances next year but change the timing around a bit. We're thinking of advertising them as 630-8pm, and have the last half hour a few very basic contra dances that also act as a beginner lesson for the evening contra. Is 630pm too late a start to get school-aged families out? Might 6pm be better? Or is 6pm too early for folks to have dinner and get to the dance. I'm wondering what others have found works well for them! With much thanks :) Emily Addison Ottawa, Ontario