WENDELL — Donna Horn senses a lot of similarities between the political atmospheres of 2026 and the early 1970s, when the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War looked to tear the country apart at its seams.
With this in mind, she decided to pick the ’70s as the theme for this year’s Misfit Prom, an eccentric community celebration featuring a parade, live music and a block party.
“I wanted this [year’s event] to be a comfortable prom — no corsets, no big crazy gowns,” Horn said, referring to the attendees’ typical attire. “The ’70s were about comfort. This is more of a down-to-Earth, comfortable feeling.”
The “That ’70s Prom” parade from the Wendell Town Common to Deja Brew Cafe & Pub at 57 Lockes Village Road will step off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. People should arrive at 5:30 p.m. if they want to participate. The party then begins at Deja Brew at 6:30.
Tickets are $20 at the door. Musical entertainment will be provided by Lady Pop, and Carol Devine & The Mighty Fine. There will be food from Diemand Farm.
Horn said she conceived the idea of Misfit Prom to give people an opportunity to dress up and have fun. Each event benefits a different local cause, and this year’s beneficiary is Good Neighbors, a volunteer-driven food pantry serving Wendell and New Salem residents.
The first Misfit Prom was held in 2009, though a couple of events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her idea for the ’70s theme also stems from Horn’s love of yacht rock, a broad term for the smooth, breezy pop music of that decade.
“Yacht rock isn’t a great theme for prom, because no one knows what it is,” she said.
However, she mentioned the parade will feature a yacht rock float.
