Promenade

Every girl needs her time in the spotlight, a red carpet experience, well if you live in Sanpete County, Utah, it happens at the Junior Prom. A promenade is not something your grandmother did in the 1940's, it still goes on live and strong... well at least here in rural Utah! I don't know how long the promenade has been going on, all I know is my husband, father-in-law, and grandfather all participated in it. I was the first in my family to experience the promenade, my family moved to Sanpete County when I was in Middle School.

The Promenade is definitely an experience I wanted to share with all my bloggy buddies. It has nothing to do with baking and crafting, but it is interesting and fun (or at least I think so). My brother is a Junior this year, so we went to cheer him on!

The Jr. Prom is a process. You have two dates Friday night is the boys choice date, Saturday night is the girls choice date, so you usually have two different dates! First, you have to get a date, and no texting, or telephone calls allowed, you have to be creative to ask a guy or gal on this date. When I went to Jr. prom the boy who asked me gave me a package of Almond Joy, and a Plunger with a note that said "I would be overflowing with Joy if you would go to the prom with me" What a hoot, I wish I had a picture!

You start practicing for the prom, weeks ahead of time. You miss a lot of school, but it is OK because it is for the Prom. You also get paired up with a partner for the promenade based on your height! My brother was the fifth tallest boy this year, go Austin! The first day of the Prom (Fri) you have an assembly, and can leave school for your date around noon. Pretty much these dates last all day, and late into the night.

Now, the super exciting part... The whole WHOLE community comes out to watch the promenade, and admire the beautiful dresses...At five dollars a pop for a ticket, it is the best fundraiser the school has all year. My five year old, was in Fancy Nancy Heaven.. everything is fancy at the prom.

At the promenade first the announce each couple, (not your date, your partner based on height). They say your names, parents names, and which town you are from. It is quite exciting to see all of the dresses. Above is a picture of my brother and his height partner.

After they announce everyone, they announce the King and Queen. I like how well they match this year, don't you?

The piano chords clang, and the excitement begin. The juniors line up and make a NS (for North Sanpete of course), it is a little like Sesame Street where they make letters with people. Then they line up to form the year they graduate '12 this year. The crowd goes nuts! Parents take a sigh of relief, at least their teenagers remember something from their 11 years of schooling. I wish I had a higher seat to get the whole visual effect, use your imagination!

Then the fun begins, they do their choreographed dance to their prom theme song, this year it was "Two is better Than One" Written by Martin Johnson and Taylor Swift, Performed by Boys Like Girls featuring Taylor Swift.

They do a great job, this is the signature ending move! Boys on bended knee, holding his height partners hand.

Now my favorite part the Moms get to dance with their sons, and the Dads get to dance with their daughters! It really is very sweet!

Alyssa and I got to dance with Austin as well!

Now, the Juniors get to find their rightful date, but not before their older sister takes tons of pictures of them, aren't they cute!

Remember Austin, the prom is supposed to be fun, SMILE! I really think his date was the prettiest girl there! I love her miniature hat hair accessory, so fun! Austin's date Amanda designed her own dress, and hair thing, her Aunt made the dress, AMAZING!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your field trip to North Sanpete High School's Prom... The prom will be talked about in beauty salons, Casey's Cafe, and the post office for weeks to come. I really DO think this is a great tradition, and I hope it is still going on when my kids are Juniors.

In the spirit of fun, I thought I would include my sister and I's Prom photos!

I was hoping their was no candle light dinner, or my hair might spontaneously combust with all of that hairspray! Does my date look 'Overflowing with Joy'?

And here is cute Alyssa, she is always the belle of the ball!

I am linking this post to Lamb Around!