MEXICO — Seniors and juniors at Mountain Valley High School are invited to a prom this month sponsored by River Valley Recreation.

The evening of music, dancing and refreshments will be held from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at the recreation center gym, 15 Recreation Drive. The theme is Midnight Garden.

The cost is $20 per person and $30 for couples. Tickets go on sale Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the Recreation Center and will be available at the door the night of the prom.

The plan was presented to selectmen last week by activities director Justeen LaPointe.

“We have 20 seniors right now that said they will go to prom,” she said. “If they bring a date, then that’s 40 people.”

A few juniors have also indicated interest, she said.

“Obviously, we know that we can’t exceed a certain number,” LaPointe said. “It’s not going to be a typical prom.”

Town Manager Raquel Welch said, “My concern is that the first I heard of it was on Facebook. Had I not seen it on Facebook, I wouldn’t have been able to respond. That doesn’t bode well for the town. I need to be made aware, at least about what’s going on.”

LaPointe said there will be a photographer, music, snacks and drinks, which most parents will donate.

“We’re going to do a march outside so parents and family can come and take photos,” she said.

Abby Mazza, left, and Justeen LaPointe, activities director with River Valley Recreation, stand outside the recreation center at 15 Recreation Drive in Mexico, where a prom for Regional School Unit 10 seniors and juniors will be held May 22. Bruce Farrin/Rumford Falls Times

Selectman Reggie Arsenault asked if students will be allowed to come and go during the prom.

If they leave the building they will not be allowed to reenter, LaPointe said.

Welch said there should be police or a constable present.

LaPointe said Thursday that some teachers and parents have pushed back on the idea of an alternative to a school prom, but others have responded positively to the idea.

When LaPointe asked for permission to host a prom, Recreation Director Wayne Sevigny said he told her, “It’s just like having a birthday party. We’re not going to turn them away. As long as we follow the guidelines, people can do whatever they want here.”

“We’re just doing this because kids deserve a dance,” LaPointe said. “They’ve been let down this school year with everything from school to activities to sports.”

She said they will follow Maine Center for Disease Control guidelines for COVID-19, and most everyone attending has been vaccinated. Organizers will post the rules and ask that dancers stay 3 feet apart.

For more information, call 364-4912 or visit River Valley Recreation on Facebook.