Urbandale High School Rocked to After-Prom Party

More than 400 teenagers were locked into Urbandale High School overnight Saturday - having the times of their lives.

It was what organizers believe is the 14th annual Urbandale High School after-prom party. 

The Mardi Gras-themed event featured casino games in one gymnasium, and giant inflatable games and carnival games in the other. There was all kinds of food around the building and the evening finished up in the wee hours of the morning with a game show and hypnotist in the Performing Arts Center.

About 100 parents volunteered last night to operate games, dispense food and even emcee the game show, said Cate Newberg, one of the members of the after-prom party committee.

This is no small party. It operates on a budget in excess of $17,000 and lots of parent-hours organizing, and setting up for the party.

The event ran from 11:30 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m Sunday (officially, although volunteers said it's more like 5 a.m. by the time all the kids leave the building.)

Students come to the after-prom party whether they went to prom or not. Once they are arrive, they are locked in until it's over.

The parties have been parents' alternative to other after-prom activities that tend to keep them awake with worry and increase the number of gray hairs they have.