Prom isn’t just for students anymore. Marshalltown Parks & Recreation is soon to debut its first ever May Day Memories Family Prom, aimed at being inclusive for youth, parents and extended family. It will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 1 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The idea was born out of combining aspects of Parks & Rec’s daddy/daughter and mother/son dances.

“Attendance has been great for the daddy/daughter dance, and maybe not so much for the mother/son. I was approached about the idea of combining and having a family night,” said Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Hart. “It’s prom season, so we came up with the idea of doing our own family prom in which all of them can participate. So a mom can bring her daughter, a dad can bring a son.”

Hart added that in some cases, grandparents or aunts and uncles may be the primary adult figure in a kid’s life. All are welcome.

“It’s almost like going to a wedding dance and your whole family is involved,” she said of the concept.

A live DJ will be spinning tunes and an on-site photo booth will print out pictures. Light refreshments will be served. Because the dance lands on May Day, attendees will each go home with a pre-made May Day Basket.

May Day has its roots in Old Irish/Gaelic culture. Beltane, celebrated on May 1, is an ancient festival that symbolized the turning point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, marked with Maypoles and dancing, fires and crowns made of flowers. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was popular to leave baskets containing flowers and treats on people’s doorsteps.

“I remember going around to my neighbors’ houses and leaving May Day Baskets on their porch, and then knocking and running away,” Hart said with a laugh. “It’s kind of bringing back that tradition and getting the younger generations into doing things more like we did when we were kids.”

Children of all ages are welcome to attend. Hart pointed out that the goal of this prom is for everyone to feel included. The space is wheelchair-accessible and the dance will not have strobe lights.

The plan is to host a family prom yearly.

“It will probably be in the April/May timeframe every year,” she said. “We want it to revolve around prom season. It may not be on May Day.”

Early registration is appreciated. To purchase tickets, visit the Parks & Rec office, call them at 641-754-5715 or use this link: https://secure.rec1.com/IA/marshalltown-ia/catalog

Each family member that attends will need to be registered.

Summer is Parks & Rec’s busiest time.

The public can purchase pool passes and sign up their children for Camp Marshalltown, swim lessons, Taekwondo and more. New this year is Bobcat Bowling Clinic, in partnership with Wayward Social. Bowling will be available for two age groups: 7-9 and 10-13. It will teach the basics of bowling and core fundamentals, July 27-31. The bowling coach is Andy Schwandt.

“We will have our golf clinic again this year,” she said. “Financial assistance is available for both the golf clinic and the bowling clinic.”

Parks & Rec has offered Special Olympics bowling, but this is the first year it has branched out to offering a bowling clinic.

“We tried doing a recreational bowling league, but it really didn’t take off. But we’re hoping that this clinic will help take that and maybe lead into a league,” she said.

Hart also invites the public to take part in the free statewide Live Healthy Iowa Kids Track Championship. Locally, it will take place May 6 starting at 5 p.m. at the Marshalltown High School Track. Register here: https://event.racereach.com/lhi-kidstrack-marshalltown/register.

No on-site registration will be available.

For more information about these activities, Hart may be reached at: jhart@marshalltown-ia.gov and 641-754-5715.