Princess Project Guelph returns to make prom and graduation fun and affordable

Princess Project Guelph is back again this year to help make graduation and prom night a fun - and affordable - experience.

This is the fifth year for Princess Project Guelph, which takes donated prom and evening dresses and sells them for $20. There are also shoes for $3 and costume jewellery for $1.

The sale happens this Friday, April 21, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Army Citadel at 1310 Gordon Street.

"The interesting thing is we've stayed around 100 dresses every year," says organizer Laurie Valeriote.

Last year they sold 110.

"We can't really figure out why. The first year we just advertised at Guelph schools but now we advertise in schools all over the county, including Mount Forest and Erin, but it stays around 100 dresses," Valeriote says.

The Guelph event (there are similar ones in several other cities) is aimed at making prom affordable for families that can't afford retail prices for a nice dress, but is also for those that balk at spending a lot of money on a dress that is often only worn once.

"It does so many wonderful things," Valeriote says. "It's heartwarming watching the girls try on the beautiful dresses. The looks on the faces, it's pretty special. They're just beaming."

Sometimes it's the moms that are the most excited, she adds.

Organizers ask that those buying the dresses "pay it forward" the next year by dropping the dresses back off at the Salvation army so that someone else can use it the next year.

There will be hundreds of dresses available this weekend in all sizes.

The event's Facebook page posts photos of many of the new dresses that have been donated. Money raised after expenses is donated to the Salvation Army and Beginnings Family Services of Guelph.

In the spirit of the event, people are limited to buying one dress and shoes.

Donations of dresses, shoes and costume jewellery are still welcome.