Making prom night a dressy affair
Local business offers an affordable way to enjoy a special night
Prom night is a special evening in a young person’s life. Everybody wants to look their best for that singular moment that becomes a lifetime memory.
Paula Huntley believes every young lady should be able to show up on prom night in a beautiful dress. She launched A Dressy Affair in 2017 to help make that a reality for graduates in the Valley area.
It all began as a conversation with another Kentville resident about the price of graduation and prom dresses.
“We agreed that it seemed crazy to pay so much money for something that is worn for just a few hours, and then gets put away, never to be used again,” Huntley says. “It puts a lot of pressure on families.”
For families who might be struggling financially, an opportunity to purchase a beautiful dress at a modest price would be quite appealing, Huntley believed.
“I ran the idea past a couple of friends,” she recalls.
“One of them was actually going to Montreal to pick up her daughter’s dress.”
Hearing the stories from parents and daughters was enough to convince Huntley to launch her project. Almost as soon as she began getting the word out, donations of dresses started coming in from friends and local businesses. Some of them were quite remarkable.
“One of them was a $2,500 dress,” Huntley recalls. “It had been worn once and then given to me. I almost didn’t feel comfortable taking it.”
The first Dressy Affair was held on March 24, 2017 at the Cornwallis Inn ballroom; now known as Main Street Station. With word spread by social media, radio, print and word of mouth, about 200 people came out to browse the 250 dresses that were on display, with proceeds from the sales going to Misfit Manor Dog Rescue and to support breast cancer research.
A Dressy Affair 2023 will be held on April 1 at the Kentville fire hall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The property is wheelchair accessible.
This year marks the return of A Dressy Affair as a live event, after three years in the virtual world.
“It will be on a Saturday, when daughters and moms can come together.”
Dresses will range in price from $25 to $100. Dressing up for the afternoon affair is optional. “Come as you are” Huntley says. Many young ladies will bring their dress shoes to match with the dress, she adds.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance by emailing huntley0401@gmail.com or at the door. The $10 cover charge will go to support local food banks. Proceeds from the dress sales will go towards Misfit Manor and the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation.
“The event is always a lot of fun,” Huntley says. “People come out and have a good time and pick up a great deal on a dress.”