Paul Stickler never realized how far dancing to M.C. Hammer in his kitchen could take him.

After a little convincing from his wife and two sons, the St. Joseph resident allowed them to roll the camera while he got down to “Can’t Touch This,” arms and legs flying as he glided across the wood floor in a suit and tie.

“Dancing on carpet, you know, at my age I could lose a knee, maybe an ankle — bust a hip,” the 42-year-old said with a good-natured laugh.

The result of his ambushed performance? A trip to New York to compete in the Hallmark Cards sponsored Daddy of All Dance-Offs, including a live appearance Saturday morning on “The Early Show,” which airs on CBS at 7 a.m. Mr. Stickler competes today against winners from three dance sites around the country, and first place would earn him $5,000.

“I wish I had, like, a super-choreographed routine, but I’m just going to dance like I always do,” he said.

Mr. Stickler was chosen as one of 10 online finalists for the contest and voted the best dancer in that category, which he chalks up to support from the community. After watching videos of his competitors at movedad.com, the contest Web site, Mr. Stickler said he thinks he has just as good a chance to win as anyone. The plan is to rely less on the go-to moves of his competitors — like break-dancing and butt-shaking — and more on style and attitude.

Ballroom dancing is his preferred style, and though he would feel more comfortable doing that for the contest, Mr. Stickler isn’t nervous about the weekend.

“I’m just flopping around to the beat of the music and hopefully that goes well — throw in a little Michael Jackson, M.C. Hammer while I’m at it and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Though he was only given one extra plane ticket to New York City, Mr. Stickler said he couldn’t imagine going without his boys. He’s using the prize money he already received to make sure Jonathan, 10, and Jackson, 9, get to join him and his wife at the contest. He’s the only dad bringing his whole family. Both children are performers, and Jonathan recently flew to Los Angeles to appear in an Oscar Mayer commercial.

“We have a bizarre family. We do things like this,” Mr. Stickler said.

While he’s excited to see sites like the Statue of Liberty, Jonathan is also ready for his dad to dance.

“I just want him to do his best, just get into it, have fun,” he said.

Jackson said he has no doubt that his dad has some good dance moves.

“He’s going to try his hardest and keep on practicing,” he said.