SARATOGA SPRINGS – Ladies please don’t let the name of this event deter you from attending the next one. The Mom Prom is not only for Mothers, it is an event for ANY female! And trust me, you NEED to go!
The Saratoga Mom Prom is in its 6th year and after what I experienced on Saturday night, April 21, at the Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs (232 Broadway), I can’t believe that I have denied myself this amount of fun for the past 5 years!
Let me paint a hot pink and black decorated picture for you.
This is a Ladies ONLY night! Well, except for the cardboard cutout male hotties from yesterday and today.
Prom dress required-the tackier and most representative from your prom era the better!
Comfy shoes such as converse/sandals or even bare feet seen peeking out from under your taffeta dress are certainly accepted.
The Saratoga Mom Prom truly transports you back to your prom-and in my opinion only better!
Here the tickets are only $60 dollars, you are old enough to buy a drink at the bar, and you can eat as much as you want without worrying if your stomach will become bloated for your date.
My girlfriend Erika and I arrived at 7:15 for the 7:00 start time and the dance floor was already in full force.
Picture hundreds of women, all sizes and ages dressed up with their besties jumping up and down, dancing, and belting out the words to ‘I will survive’ or Shania Twain’s ‘Man, I feel like a woman.’
I must quote my date when she said, “…the energy in here is incredible!” Besides the 4-hour dance party there was an airbrush tattoo artist, caricature artist, tarot card reader, yummy buffet, and of course perfectly placed archway adorned with the most lovely silk flowers for prom photos.
Two things I learned this night:
1. Man I look good with a tattoo on my wrist-thanks “About Face”!
2. To get out of the way when 300+ women realize the candy bar is now open!
There were amazing premier raffles and raffle baskets filled to the brim with one of a kind experiences and treats. I am sad to report despite putting all my raffles into the fitness basket – I walked away empty handed, but still satisfied that my donation went towards a worthy cause.
The Saratoga Mom Prom was founded 6 year ago when several friends attended another mom prom. These fabulous women were determined to hold their own mom prom in Saratoga, and decided that any money raised would be given specifically to women’s or children’s charities. Two years ago, The Saratoga County Children’s Committee (SCCC) was chosen to take over the Saratoga Mom Prom from the founding women. The mom prom is the SCCC biggest fundraiser.
The SCCC is a non-profit organization, dedicated to meeting year round emergency and basic needs of underprivileged children throughout Saratoga County. These supplies include clothing, baby supplies, school supplies, sports equipment, and holiday gifts. The all volunteer staff of Saratoga County Children’s Committee gives 100 percent of the money donated/raised to children in need. The SCCC sponsors the Empty Stocking Project (which provided gifts to over 900 children), Summer Campership Program (helping children attend the camp of their dreams,) and a Back to School Program (which provides backpacks, school supplies, new clothing and shoes). Visit https://www.saratogachildrenscommittee.org/ for more.
The 2018 Saratoga Mom Prom chose to donate a portion of their profit to The Community Hospice Wave Riders Program, which is a free weekly support group for grieving families with children or teens, aged 3-17 years old. During these weekly sessions, individuals can “recognize and express their feelings in a safe and caring environment, receive guidance and support as they adapt to changes in their lives and families, and build self-esteem by validating the normal feelings of grief.” Children will learn to “ride the wave of grief”.
During these support groups, children will be given the opportunity to meet peers who can relate and provide comfort during tragic times. This is accomplished through art, music, games, and group discussions.
The Wave Riders program is available at The Community Hospice locations, some local schools and community organizations. Families may attend any site they wish, regardless of residence.
For additional information you can call Dana Carll, LMHC at 518-285-8137 or visit hospicegriefservices.com/wave-riders.
In just their previous 5 years the Saratoga Mom Prom has raised $66,000. Gail Veitch, one of the founding members of Mom Prom reported that this event has a lower ticket price to welcome all to attend. She stated that women come here for the cause, sisterhood and the fun.
I couldn’t agree more! The Saratoga Mom Prom was a blast! There is truly no other event out there that combines positive female energy, remembrance of days long ago, and such worthy causes.
Ladies, I raise my Zima to this event!
If you would like to support the SCCC further, you can start to work on squeezing back into that high school prom dress on May 6th, when Saratoga Peak Performance will host two pop up boot camp classes.
Mandy Mitler
Photos: Cathy Duffy
April 28, 2018
