Getting ready for the Owatonna High School Grand March at the Four Seasons Arena took a lot more work than people thought. The setup took two days, all of Thursday and Friday, and required a large team to make everything come together.
This year’s theme was masquerade, which made everything feel elegant and exciting. There were six different photo stops set up around the arena, and each one was decorated to match the theme with masks, lights and detailed decorations that made every spot unique.
The prom committee spent hours planning and decorating. They worked on everything from setting up the walkway to making sure all the little details looked right. The prom committee blew up over 200 balloons and carefully arranged them around the room, including clusters along the walls and a few arches to frame different areas. String lights were set around the arena, giving the whole space a soft glow, while lights on the floor marked out the walkway so it stood out and guided people through.
Along the walls and throughout the stations, different masquerade setups were placed, with each station having its own unique design. Masks and decorations were arranged to match each section, so every area felt different but still connected. Bright lights were set up in the photo areas to shine when people took pictures, and sophomore prom committee helpers were there taking photos at each station to make sure everyone got pictures in each setup.
The sophomore helpers also helped guide people toward seating, making sure everything flowed smoothly throughout the night. They also helped with setting up before the event and stayed after to help take everything down, which made a big difference in keeping everything organized.
The big stage was the main focus, lit up with a full masquerade theme that stood out right when you walked in. Every part of the space was adjusted and fixed multiple times to make sure it all looked right. It wasn’t always easy, but everyone persevered and helped each other with decorating until everything came together.
One of the most helpful people of all was the prom adviser, Ms. Marilyn Olson. She was there the whole time, making sure things stayed organized and people stayed on target. She helped guide everyone and made sure the setup turned out how it was supposed to.
“It worked out really well having everyone help out,” said senior, prom committee head, Ellie Meiners. “It made everything go a lot smoother.”
There was also a lot to do during the event. Kona Ice and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee were there for a sweet treat, along with a photo booth where people could take pictures with many kinds of accessories. There was also a dance floor with a DJ, which kept the energy up and gave everyone a chance to have fun.
When the night finally came, everyone showed up dressed in their own way and danced the night away. There were all different styles of dresses and suits, and people wore a mix of colors that made everything look really cool together. It made the whole event feel even more special and unique. Junior Lilah Kruckeberg said, “I thought the layout of the whole grand march was very fun. It was also my first prom so that was exciting and everything went smoothly!”
By the time everything was finished, the arena looked completely different. All the hard work from those two days paid off, and it helped make the Owatonna Grand March a special event for everyone.
