WORTHINGTON -- Before the kick-off, before the first rushing yard or first bone-crushing tackle, before the Super Bowl match-up between the Colts and the Bears, there were stylish tuxedos and pretty prom dresses.
The room at Cole's was crowded with females of all ages and a few males for the Prom Show, a preview of prom styles for 2007. Eleven young women coifed in fancy hairstyles and modeled seven dresses each, while several young men donned tuxedos with interchangeable vests and ties to match the ladies.
The show started at 2 p.m., and shortly before the first couple promenaded in front of the crown, a bevy of giggles and the occasional burst of laughter trickled out from the dressing area.
Robyn Moser, a sales associate from The Stag Clothiers, gave last minute instructions to the gentlemen in tuxedos, and then gathered them together for a group photo.
"The girls are all excited," she said to a helper. "The boys are wondering why they volunteered to do this."
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As the first couple walked onto the runway, girls and women in the audience snapped to attention, putting down the catalogs for dresses and tuxedos they had been perusing. A collective sigh was heard as the couple swept by -- a rainbow of color and style.
Tentatively at first, couples walked together, stopping to pose. As the show went on, some girls hit the runway alone, some with an escort.
Several times, two or three young men would walk out together, stopping to pose and show off their tuxedos and vests. As they got into the spirit of things, the men would remove their jackets and sling them casually over a shoulder.
"Are you ready for this?" one young lady asked a young man who eyed the crowd nervously.
"Yeah," he replied.
"Bears or Colts?" she asked him, then teased him about his answer, drawing out in front of the crowd before he realized what was happening.
There were 77 dresses modeled in styles that ranged from full skirts to form fitted sheaths, most with halter or strapless bodices. Tuxedos were seen in the traditional black, some black pinstriped, and even a white pin-striped.
Available for the audience were pamphlets and brochures for dresses and tuxedos, and coupons for flowers, pocket squares, tanning and hairstyling.
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The finale of the show featured all of the models decked out in finery and sporting Mardi Gras masks as they circled the audience.
"Oh, that was fun," one young lady said to another as the audience applauded.
