People from all over Pike County and neighboring towns, cities and counties all forgot their worries, cares and responsibilities to step back into Old Hollywood, “The Great Gatsby” and their teenage years.
An adult prom was held Saturday at a black-and-gold-decorated McComb Mill.
For some, like organizer Lacy Felder’s parents Mary Powell and Darry Felder, it was their first time ever attending a prom.
Others, like Shaquetta Anderson and Chris Felder, relived high school memories with old friends and made new friends.
Anderson, a hairstylist by trade, and Felder, a nurse, both threw in their names for the “prom court.”
“In high school, I was very shy. I wasn’t on prom court, nor did I win prom queen,” Anderson said. “I didn’t want to do it, but I stepped outside of my comfort zone. You don’t know what happens until you try,” she said.
Felder said he decided to run because there was only one other man running, Anthony Butler, and someone needed to run against him.
So he went for it.
He said winning the crown would show his children that they can be kings also.
“I think that this is a great event. It brought the people out, and we don’t have much to do in Pike County. This gave people something to do, even for the night.”
Following the tradition of prom, attendees crowned a single man, a single woman and a couple.
But, before the crowning, Lacy Felder took the time to honor her mom, dad, sister and grandmothers.
She fought back tears as she talked about her family.
“My parents got married really young and they were raising my sister, so they didn’t get to enjoy being young,” Felder said. “In December, my mom and I were talking and she told me that she missed out on a lot of stuff. She said she always wanted to go a prom.”
Felder honored her sisters, father and mother before crowning the singles prom king and queen and a couple prom king and queen.
The singles royalty were Anderson and Chris Felder, and the royal couple was Craig and Kathy Martin.
After the crowning, people enjoyed a carefree night, if only for a few hours.
Lacy Felder said she was pleased with the outcome.
“The prom was nothing short of amazing. I spent so many nights questioning, was what I doing good enough, will my community be pleased? Will my vision be understood and brought to life? My mother and father were happy and pleased.
“Even though my parents don’t like the spotlight I am so happy that I was able to do something for them that I could share wit my hometown.”
Felder said there were many things that may not have gone as planned, and it became hectic, but people were patient with her.
She thanks her volunteers for that.
“My team of volunteers were amazing. The photographers captured so many amazing moments, the food was a hit and I’m just so happy how things turned out. I’m still in awe that so many came out to support little ole me,” she said.
Felder thanks everyone who supported who supported her vision.
“To my parents, my sister and my honey, I love y’all so much because you had to deal with me in tough moments. To everyone who supported the event whether you were there or not, I appreciate each and every one of you. They danced, they ate, I crowned many kings and queens, and we just had an amazing time.”
She said people are now on pins and needles waiting for the next prom.
“I know there are so many looking at me now, waiting to see if I will do this again, and all I can tell you guys is, stay tuned.”
