Lou Smith (Park High, 1955) attended the second Post Prom in 1955. His father Louis M Smith, chairperson of the first Post Prom, was very active in planning and working on the prom until he moved from Racine to Florida in 1959. He was a Rotarian for years and former President of the Racine Rotary.

Lou sent us photos from the front page of the Racine Journal of the first Prom and the script of an interview about the Post Prom his father did with Vyto Kapocious, a Park High classmate, on his "Teen Time" radio show every Saturday at 9:30am on WRAC. Some parents worried about the all-night event, and the interview was to let them know more about the Prom.

Lou writes, "My Dad had a clothing store on Main St for many years in Racine and I have many found memories of growing up there. I do not get back often but was there in 2005 for our 50th class reunion and will be back in 2010 for the 55th."

Courtesy of Amanda Aude, Racine Prom-goer, check out this amazing story from Racine past about 12 students who built their own float for Prom ... and some of us thought choosing a corsage was a lot of work. Check out excerpts and pictures below.

From a tractor to an ice cream truck to a fire engine to an elephant, seniors here have rode into Racine's annual Rotary Post Prom party on just about everything. So how on Earth do you make your prom ride stand out? That was the question a group of 12 friends posed to each other and their parents about two months ago.

They wanted to ride in style, behind the wheels of an uncle's antique hot rods. But a few engine problems nixed that idea.

So with several sketches, a bit of lumber and paint, a borrowed flatbed and a lot of imagination, the group created their own ride: a parade float.

"It's awesome," said Holly Commodore, one of the 12 prom-goers who rode on the float. She thought she would be going to prom in an old, rusty clunker car. She never dreamed she would be riding in style on a spectacular float she and her friends helped create. All her other friends were jealous.

"I'm excited," said another of the prom group, Mindy Chambers, a few days before the senior dance. "Everyone else is going in a limo. We wanted something different."

"We started planning it a month and a half ago," said Brian Quinn, another member of the group, who all became good friends last summer on the school's Western Field Studies trip. "It took a couple of weekends. It looks really nice."

The weekend before prom, the group put the final touches on the float. They waited until nightfall to light the 1,500 twinkling lights by plugging in a generator that is fixed on the doolie truck.

On prom night, the group had a ball parading to Park High School and then Festival Hall on their unique creation.

Laurie said everything went perfect.

Read the full story | More pictures

The text from the Official Proclamation from the Office of the Mayor:

The OVO filmmakers celebrate Prom in Racine and thank everyone who has supported the film.

Barnes & Noble celebrates the film that showed the world what is the prom capital of the world. Filmmakers Chris Talbott, Ian Rosenberg, and Ruben Carbajal join Prom-themed B&N folks to host a sneak-preview of the film, Q&A, and DVD signing. View Article (PDF)

The film holds its Racine/Kenosha Premiere over two nights as part of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Foreign Film Series.

Photo Courtesy April Smith

What happens when you combine a mistimed rendezvous in the Lower East Side and an empty glass of whisky? A chance meeting with talented and soulful New Jersey singer/songwriter April Smith, who makes us all want to put on our tux and find a date for a dance. She describes her music as "Freddie Mercury's dramatic presence, Jeff Buckley's sentiment and sweetness, Ann Wilson's range and power, Tom Wait's sarcasm, Elvis' lip thing, and Pat Benetar's ass ... or vocally-driven-cinematic-rock for short." We'd agree.

April Smith and the Great Picture Show rocked the house &mdash with kind words for the film and a terrific performance of High School Memory, we're anxiously awaiting her return to New York City in July at the Pussycat Lounge.

Take a moment to listen to April Smith's High School Memory ... Watch the video with footage from Racine Prom past and present.

Courtesy of our friends at The Fall Collection, THE WORLD'S BEST PROM danced the night away at a retro evening of 80s Prom with Duckie and Andie, Crockett (but no Tubbs), cheerleaders, puffy dresses, and a tribute to A Flock of Seagulls. DJs Lord Easy and DDRE J spun great beats all night long.

Check out the Prom Confessions and the fab 80s pictures!

Photos Courtesy Brandy Barber

Local comedians Seth Herzog (VH-1's Love Monkey, Stella, Prime) and David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Stella) host an evening of Prom-themed comedy. Anne Carr, Todd Shillue, and Comedy Central wunderkind Todd Barry join in on the fun. What else could we ask for? How about a Seth Herzog Prom Date Competition starring OVO's own Mary Wigmore and Karen Sorensen.

Mmmmm ... pictures here (courtesy Brandy Barber), here, and here. Additional photos by Anya Garrett. Sweet Prom recaps at TWO CAN ANNE, hatefully charming, and SARA IS LOCO.

The film screens in Austin, the "Live Music Capital of the World," a fitting place for THE WORLD'S BEST PROM. The film screens at the Alamo Drafthouse (409 Colorado St.) with the Alamo's Austin's Best Prom Party held afterwards at the Austin Elks Lodge (700 Dawson Rd.). Check out the fancy pictures from the fabulous event. Thanks to everyone who dressed up with Prom on their minds.

THE WORLD'S BEST PROM screens at the Pioneer Theater (155 East 3rd Street). Check out the pictures from the event. Thanks to everyone who dressed up with Prom on their minds.