Write a commentLocal Oswego business owners Shellie Oatman and Mackenzie Oatman of Sensibility Outfitters, along with Suanne Darling and Mary Haines of the Darling Elves are on the board of the first annual Prom Project. Their mission is to let local students know that as prom season approaches, everything they need can be found locally and at an affordable price.
This year's Prom Project was held on Sunday, March 30th at the American Foundry from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The venue played a big part in how well the event panned out. The location offered a lot of space for the 26 businesses and vendors that participated.
Instead of competing for business, the businesses and vendors worked together to offer the students a new prom shopping experience. All businesses put out raffles on their tables for everyone to enter, as well as offering coupons and discounts. Not only that, but all 26 vendors put in special prizes for one big grand raffle.
While the Prom Project brought together local businesses, it was also able to connect students not just from the city of Oswego, but from some other surrounding towns as well. Featuring dresses from Sensibility Outfitters and tuxes from Mary Jean's Alterations, 21 models rocked the stage to show off their incredibly stylish and completely local prom wear. Two specific models wore stunning dresses from Golden Gate Bridals. These models, both male and female, came from the high schools of Oswego and Fulton.
Along with the dresses, the females also wore jewelry from Maggie's Jewelry Box, makeup was provided from Mary Kay by Julie Laird and hair was done by Kimberly's Hair Salon. The models wore beautiful silk corsages and boutonnieres made by the Darling Elves.
Although Oswego businesses may not be so local to its neighboring towns, these stores are not as much as a stretch and a lot more convenient to shop at rather than making the usual trip all the way to Syracuse.
The first annual Prom Project had a great turn out, from the vendors participating right down to the students and their parents that attended the event. It was a great way to bring Oswego together to show that students don't have to take a dip in their (or their parent's) bank accounts during prom season.
