A Summit woman wants to give adults who never got to experience a prom or had a bad experience in high school a chance to relive the night.
So-called adult proms are becoming increasingly popular and popping up in larger cities.
Lacy Felder, 30, said she got the idea to hold an adult prom in McComb after her mother Mary Powell told her she and her father, Barry Felder, never got to go to the prom.
After talking with her mom, Felder took to Facebook and asked if anyone else who didn’t attend their prom would be interested in going to an adult prom.
“A lot of people responded, so I got the ball rolling,” she said.
The prom is set for June 17. Many details, including the venue, are still in the works, she said.
“I didn’t want to do it in July because people would be preparing for the 4th of July celebrations, and I didn’t want to do in May because parents would be recovering from graduation and their own children’s proms,” Felder said. “June was the best month to have it.”
Felder said she has a small committee helping her, but she’s doing most of the work on her own. More help, including volunteers and those who specialize in catering, videography and photography, is welcomed.
Tickets will be $40 for singles and $75 for couples. Sales open next week and will run through April, Felder said, adding that she’s encouraging early ticket sales to help with planning and covering the cost of the event.
“That way I can know how much food to get, how many tables to put out and how many door prizes to purchase,” she said.
The only criteria for attending the prom is age — 25 and up.
“You can be 25, 35, 45, 56, 66 — as long as you’re 25 and older,” Felder said, “It’s open to anyone. It doesn’t matter your race, sex, preference. It’s open to anyone who missed their prom, went to prom and it went terrible, or who just wants to have a good time and wants to escape reality.”
She said she been getting the word out through word of mouth and social media, but wants to reach more people.
Felder remembers her own prom.
“I went to my prom, but my dad doesn’t believe in spending money on expensive things, so I didn’t get the dress that I wanted,” she said. “This time, I can get the dress that I want.”
Felder is a licensed hairstylist who has worked in the business for almost 11 years. She said she’s working up until the prom to help make sure women who are attending have the night of their lives.
And she just might get some business out of it.
“They can come to me to get their done before the prom,” she said.
Felder said she also wants to give other stylists and makeup artists a chance to showcase their work and promote their businesses.
“I want to have a space set up the night of the prom so that women can come in, relax and get their hair curled or pinned up and their makeup done,” she said.
Felder said she’s also been in contact with Our Gang II, located in the Pike Mart Center, about tuxedos.
“They would work with me and provide tuxedos for the men, but they have to come in at least a week before the prom,” she said.
Felder said she also wants to work with a dress shop for the event.
She’s thought of those with children, too.
“An excuse a lot of people will have is they have no one to watch their children. I’m looking for daycare providers to watch children for a certain amount of dollars so they won’t have an excuse as to why they have to miss it,” Felder said.
People who aren’t in a relationship should still come, she said.
“They never know. They may meet their king or queen,” she said.
Felder has even thought about the transportation.
“I’ve talked to DeClassy Limousine, and they’re willing to rent out their limos for $89 for two hours. They have a new limo they’re willing to rent out for $110 for a minimum of two hours.”
Felder said she hopes people really enjoy themselves, even if it’s just for a night.
“I’m hoping to get really positive feedback. This isn’t just for my parents, it’s for anyone,” she said. “There are a lot of negative things going on in McComb and we needed to do something to take away from all of the negativity. I really hope there’s some positive feedback from this and we can do this annually.”
Anyone who wants to donate, volunteer, serve on a committee or wants more information on the prom, may can contact Felder at (601) 248-9919 or email lavishdeeva2010@yahoo.com.
