After Prom is tough and the budgets can be tight in 2024
Event Columbus has created a budget friendly after prom for many schools. While it’s easy to plan a great After Prom with a huge budget, not every school has that at their disposal. Fear not, the founder and owner of our entertainment company was actually a teacher for many years. At Event Columbus we want all kids to have a fantastic prom night that they’ll remember forever. Therefore, the company owner and I sat down to compile some great tips and ideas to help your school bring an After Prom to life on a budget!
1. A Budget Friendly After Prom Needs victims, er…. volunteers!
A budget friendly after prom requires volunteers, start recruiting early. A quick “Who’s an insomniac workaholic?” on social media would be a good place to start! Seriously though, you might be surprised who is willing and able to help the kids have an incredible night.
2. Everybody Likes to eat!… except the kids right?
So, the answer to that question was NO by the way. These are teenagers. Start asking for food donations early. Look for local restaurants, maybe one that donates to your sports teams already. Make sure to save some good food for your post prom volunteers, especially the ones who have 5 kids who haven’t made it to high school yet. Give them chocolate and you may have them helping you for the next decade! Don’t forget the caffeine and gluten free, sugar free, calorie free stuff for the adults who have dietary restrictions. Seriously these people are volunteering to suffer with you through a volunteer ran after prom, treat them well.
3. Because You want the best deal from vendors… call them early and ask questions!
If there is a provider for décor, entertainment, inflatable rides that you plan on using, call them early and ask the following two questions:
What dates should I avoid? Most high schools pick the same after prom date, as a result, prices are always more on busy days and less on the open one
What after prom theme would you recommend? This will probably (and should be ) the theme they have the most decor and equipment for. If they have a lot, you can get most likely get the “odds and ends” relatively reasonably. Consider asking about their older items or things purchased for a single event!
- For Example: Another high school has just paid for a company to buy a bunch of new inflatables! Everyone loves new inflatables and now you’ll get rent them at great price!
4. Curb Appeal is crucial!
Kids will drive past the school to look for their friend’s cars; they want to make sure they’re not the only one going to after prom. It’s very important to make a good first impression out in front of the high school. Something as simple as a fire performer will draw them in to post prom like moths to a flame!
5. Put The Check-in Line Inside!
Some after proms are in the early spring and it’s still cold! – One time we had a performer juggling fire outside of an after prom and the girls asked if they would be so kind as just to hold it still and let them gather around to get warm. The performer of course said “no” and they all froze to death (no, not really). Do the kids a favor and move the line inside and make sure you have adequate staffing because they will all come at once. Like a zombie horde of smiling kids.
6. After Prom is for Everyone!
A theme like sports is great, but a theme like “Game On” is better. We have a former high school teacher on staff who ran the push up club for the jocks, the chess team for the nerds and taught theater for the artsy kids – there are a lot of different needs at an after prom. The more you can hit the happier everyone will be! Some options Event Columbus suggests that everyone enjoys:
- Entertainers roaming the halls – stilt walkers, magicians or maybe a stilt walking magician
- Athletic stuff in the gym – inflatables games and rides
- Palm reading room
- Fire out front, they are all pyromaniacs
- Casino tables in the cafeteria
- Comedy Hypnotism show or comedy show at the end of the night on the stage.
- Food in the lounge for the volunteers
- Food & drinks for the kids
7. A finale Stage Show For All!
The end of the night is really important! Gathering all the kids for a show lets clean up start an hour and a half early (Volunteers will be thank you). Once the kids are in the room for the Hypnotist, Game Show, Circus Sideshow, Magician, whatever…. Then everyone else is cleaning up. Immediately after the show comes after prom prizes the giveaways and the kids are already all together in one area.
A Budget Friendly After Prom Does Not Have To Be Boring!
So there are some tips to get you started on a creating a fun filled night for your high school after prom. If you are working on a tight budget and want help to get the most “bang for your buck”, contact Event Columbus. We will be happy to provide the best possible entertainment and fun for your budget. Working with you to get you the things that kids will love, that won’t break the bank is also fun and challenging.