Thursday, July 10, 2025
With music playing, families cheering and cameras flashing, high school students in Lynbrook and East Rockaway will be the stars of their communities as they celebrate their respective pre-prom events on June 26.
The longstanding traditions give families, friends and neighbors a chance to honor students in style before they head off on one of the biggest nights of their high school careers.
In Lynbrook, the 25th annual Pre-Prom event, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, will take place on Atlantic Avenue at 5 p.m.
In East Rockaway, the village’s celebration will be held at the Talfor Boat Basin, beginning at 4 p.m. The scenic waterfront location offers students and their families a chance to gather for photos before prom night begins.
“The Village of East Rockaway Board and I are always happy to host Pre-Prom for our high school juniors and seniors,” Mayor Gordon J. Fox wrote in a statement. “The event offers students and their families the ability to spend time together and get some nice pictures. I always find hope in our next generation seeing the success of these young people as they begin the next chapter of their lives.”
Lynbrook’s event began in 2000, when local resident Polly Talbott organized the first one for her son Nick Scordato’s prom. “It started small,” Talbott said. “But it’s just grown so much each year.”
Prom-goers will arrive in style, with their limousines and buses parking along Forest Avenue before they walk down a red carpet on Atlantic Avenue, where they’ll be greeted by cheering crowds and flashing cameras. Businesses along the street will be open for visitors to enjoy during the festivities.
“We’ve reconfigured the layout to give the students more space to promenade,” Talbott said. “It’s so much fun. The kids and parents really make it what it is.”
Lynbrook High students will also be interviewed by Lynbrook TV, and after the formal portion concludes, local restaurants, such as Elsie Lane and Johnny McGorey’s, will host happy hour gatherings for families and alumni.
“Parents have been looking forward to the day their child gets to do this,” Talbott said. “It brings back memories, and gives everyone a chance to celebrate together.”
