Elmore City celebrating anniversary of first prom, inspiration for “Footloose,” today
Top: In this provided 1980 photo, Vicki (Bural) Schmidt and Dennis Chapman dance at Elmore City High School’s first prom. The Garvin County town will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the first prom today. Bottom: Lori Singer and Kevin Bacon appear in a scene from the movie “Footloose.” The story behind Elmore City’s first prom inspired the 1984 film.
In 1980, the Elmore City school board narrowly voted to allow the junior class to organize a prom, despite an 80-year-old city ordinance banning public dancing. The story became the inspiration for the 1984 hit film “Footloose.”
Elmore City will mark the 30th anniversary of the first prom today with a daylong celebration and a dance re-creating the 1980 prom, down to the “Stairway to Heaven” theme.
The festivities start at 10 a.m. today and include lawn mower races, an arts and crafts festival, dance contests, class reunions and a 3 p.m. parade.
The dance will start with promenade at 5:30 p.m., then the prom will begin at 7 p.m. at the Elmore City Community Center, 104 S Main Street. South Main Street will be closed to allow the dancing to spill into the street.
A crew from “Good Morning America” reportedly will be on hand to cover the anniversary celebration.
To read more on the big anniversary celebration, click here.
-BAM
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