More than just exceptional beer was on tap at the Walking Tree Brewery last Saturday night, as the Veterans Council of Indian River County took more than 150 guests “Back to the Future” for a 1980s High School Prom; the retro crowd wholeheartedly embracing the theme.
Costumes ran the full spectrum, from puffy-sleeved satin prom dresses to fingerless punk-rock gloves for the ladies. There had apparently also been a run on Aqua Net to tease bangs and achieve the requisite heights. The men pulled off mullet haircuts, preppy shoes and powder-blue tuxedos with panache, with even a Pac-Man suit to wring out every last bit of nostalgia.
Doy Demsick, Veterans Council program director, took on the persona of the not-so-beloved high school principal. Mayor Laura Moss, aka the chaperone, kept an eye on things and made sure nobody “spiked the punch.” Retired Col. Marty Zickert easily stepped into the role of hotshot pilot Maverick from “Top Gun.” Several military veterans came dressed as they served in the ’80s, dropping rank and medals for authenticity.
To enhance the prom experience, guests took photos in front of a cheesy photo backdrop draped with tinsel and balloons. And, of course, no prom is complete without the crowning of the Queen and King.
To help raise funds, those wishing to be part of the prom court paid for the honor. Throughout the evening, guests purchased tickets to vote for their choice and in the end, Col. Zickert and Kryse Manson relived the glory days – the two crowned as Prom King and Queen for the night.
The Humdingers band channeled their inner ’80s with linen blazers and plenty of retro music giving John-Peter Demsick the vibe he needed to execute his over-the-top head spin, winning the Break Dancing competition without actually breaking anything.
Jason and Marcie Patzer took home top honors in the Costume Competition. With a nod to “Teen Wolf,” the couple dressed in formal prom attire; Jason’s wolfed-out persona including a bit of werewolf beneath the tux. Their choreographed dance routine brought back memories of the movie’s iconic prom scene and helped them edge out the competition.
Proceeds from the evening will help the Veterans Council with their mission to support all county veterans. The council was formed 30 years ago with a focus on providing transportation for veterans to the VA Hospital and honoring them with Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies.
The council’s budget is now almost $300,000, according to Zickert. “We’ve elected to support veterans, and to manage programs like Upward American Veterans we realized we are going to have to start fundraising with events like this. We have been blessed with people like Walking Tree who was one of the first to stand up and say, ‘Let’s put on an ’80s prom.’”
The Veterans Council will host its third annual Veterans Outreach Golf Tournament at Sandridge Golf Course on June 17. For more information, call 772-205-4610 or visit VeteransCouncilIRC.org.