Famous Pennsbury Prom Planned, With COVID Precautions

FALLSINGTON, PA — There will be no dancing. But, the prom at Pennsbury High School, where the celebration has been named among the nation's best, will return this year while still maintaining COVID-19 safety precautions.

The prom, which was canceled last year in the early days of the pandemic, has been scheduled for Saturday, June 5. This year's theme will be "Hollywood Nights," the district announced on Monday.

In recent years, the prom at Pennsbury High — where students, administrators, faculty and parents work year-round in preparation — has been named the best prom in the United States by Reader's Digest and other outlets. In 2019, attendees of the prom set a Guinness World Record.

But, last year, the Pennsbury School District canceled the prom in its traditional format as concerns about the then-emerging coronavirus were mounting.

Pennsbury's annual parade, dinner and musical event also are back on at the high school's East campus, officials said.

"We have met with multiple groups of students, including our large prom committee, to gather their ideas on how this could be a really exciting night that takes into account all proper health safety precautions," said PHS East Principal Reggie Meadows. “While dancing and a big name performer are not part of the program, we believe we have developed an alternative plan that will satisfy many and leave a memorable mark in the minds and hearts of our graduating seniors."

Officials said this year's prom will include Pennsbury's traditional arrival parade, which lasts nearly two hours and draws hundreds of cheering family members and others. There will be an outdoor, tented dinner provided by a local caterer, a walk-through of decorated high-school hallways and a hypnotist show.

The Pennsbury Faculty Band will perform.

Falcon Field will be open to allow the seniors to get together in an outdoor setting. There will be carnival-style games, music, refreshments and the crowning of the 2021 prom king and queen.

"We also hope to record, live stream and post as much of the event as we can so that family members and friends who are unable to come as spectators can enjoy this year’s senior prom as much as possible," Meadows said.

More information will be shared soon with seniors' families and the community on the arrival parade route and spectator locations. All plans are subject to any changes in Pennsylvania's COVID-19 safety restrictions.

There may be more guests, too. To make up for last year, 2020 seniors from Pennsbury High are being invited to attend this year's prom. School administrators say about 125 of last year's seniors have expressed interest and been invited as guests of the Class of 2021.