East Rockaway celebrates the prom with parade

It was a clear and sunny day at Joseph Carrigan Point on the waterfront on June 21 as East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School students posed for photos in their dresses and tuxedos before heading to the prom.

“They love it,” said Cindy Lark, one of the event organizers. “I think it’s really nice. The kids put a lot of effort into their look and it’s an opportunity to show off for a little bit and make them feel like a celebrity. So it’s nice for the kids to enjoy it.”

Each couple heard their name read aloud and strut their stuff on the red carpet. They then paraded around the dock near the water basin toward a gazebo as parents and other onlookers enthusiastically cheered them on and took photographs. The couples then stopped in an archway to have their picture taken by a photographer.

In all, 144 students participated in the parade before heading to the Crest Hollow Country Club, in Woodbury, for the prom. This was the fourth year of the parade, which is hosted by Mayor Bruno Romano and the village’s board of trustees in collaboration with the school district and the Merchant and Resident Association.

Romano, Board of Education Trustee Dom Vulpis, MRA President Michael Hawskby and Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony D’Esposito read the names of each couple. There were many people who helped with the event. The auxiliary police closed off Dock Street and the Department of Public Works set up tents for shade. Volunteers were also there to hand out water to attendees. Lark said she was appreciative of all the effort and that it was a nice day for the students.

“People are really grateful that we organize this celebration because it’s fun to see all the kids and they put a ton of effort into their look,” Lark said. “So it’s nice that they get to show off a little bit.”