Pre- And Post-Prom Kept Newtown Hopping From Dusk Till Dawn

Due to inclement weather last Friday afternoon, exterior photo opportunities were more limited for promgoers looking for perfect photo locations before the big event. At certain points the number of promgoers seemed to be outnumbered by family members snapping shots, especially at The Pleasance, the fountain in Sandy Hook, and at The Inn at Newtown.

Police were on hand to direct traffic during the high point of pre-prom photography at The Pleasance, which also happened to be the one of the busiest intersections in town at the height of Friday’s rush hour.

Despite some gray skies, smartly suited escorts guided their dates, many in impressive and colorful gowns, to one of the popular locations to stage their memorable moments.

The students were brimming with excitement as they took their turns in front of the camera before boarding their own vehicles, or the occasional limousine, for their ride to the prom, which was held at Villa Bianca in Seymour.

Numerous attendees commented that they were also looking forward to attending after-prom gatherings including the official Post-Prom Mardi Gras, which was held in the lobby and gym at Newtown High School.

As they arrived following the big dance, Post Promgoers were greeted with twinkling lights, tables loaded with food, snacks and beverages, pinball machines and other arcade games, and a huge inflatable obstacle course and “jousting ring” set up in the gym at Newtown High School.

While popular music and requests were delivered in the lobby, courtesy of Newtown Bee associate editor and entertainer John Voket, two live bands held court in the gym. While one band played a selection of punk rock, another, fronted by Newtown Middle School social studies instructor Will Ryan, performed several popular alternative tunes.

More than a dozen Post Prom volunteers, along with faculty and administrators circulated through the crowd, socializing or handling other duties including dispensing sno-cones, popcorn, cotton candy, and other treats. Once the bands wrapped up their sets, a custom photo booth was set up in the gym providing additional mementos as the big day for NHS promgoers drew to a close.

The Post-Prom Mardi Gras, which was attended by some 200 students, was made even more special with dozens of raffle prizes donated by local businesses including gift certificates and four 20-inch TV/VCR/DVD players. And as the night progressed, attendees also took in a combination magic and comedy show presented by HotRoc Productions.

The big draw for many who stayed until the end of the event was the grand prize drawings for a Dell laptop computer, donated by local surveyor Paul Brautigam and a preowned Volkswagen Golf car provided by Jim Marcucilli of Berkshire Motors with additional body and mechanical service donated by Frank Dyke at Glenn Road Auto Body.

Newtown High junior Tony Gallucci took home the laptop, and Elizabeth “Tilly” Philbrick was the grand prizewinner of the Volkswagen Golf automobile. ­