This year's junior class got quite creative. Instead of ordering everything from the prom company, they ordered the basic package with some rolls of fuzzy stuff. The rest of the room was done with black plastic garbage bags and that white plastic roll plastic you use when you have to cover tons of tables at an outdoor gathering. That and several staplers to attach it to the wall.
As you can see in the picture to the left, the room looked really nice. The black behind the table covers the kitchen serving window. If you look carefully at the end of the table, you can see the door into the kitchen. The price of the ticket includes food and punch.
The photo to the right shows the area where the hired DJ is set to play music all night. The DJ is usually the kid in the village with the speakers and enough songs to keep everyone happy and entertained. I think the going rate is around $100 to $150 for the night. I seldom go in there once the dance starts because the music is too loud for my comfort.
For a more detailed look at one of the columns, check out the picture to the left. The draping material along the top is the white plastic sheeting while the black is made up of black plastic trash bags cut open and tacked to the wall. They happened to be on sale at the store and do a good job of blocking out the light.
At the time of year when the prom happens, the sun is up till midnight or later and if they don't do something to block the light from coming in the windows, they'd never be able to create the intimate atmosphere. The prices are determined by the level of dress the people choose. If you are in formals, you can get in for less than those who arrive in casual attired. I had the pleasure of tying several ties for the young men who only dress up once or twice a year.
The thing about the prom is that each year the juniors think that theirs is the best yet. I suspect that is because its so new and the previous year's remembrance has softened due to time. I will say, this group had the best use of plastic I've seen in a very long time.