In a 2005 interview on NPR, Chris Talbott, who both attended the Racine, WI prom and co-directed The World's Best Prom, had this to say about his experience with prom:

The Students have their individual high school proms at all seven high schools but then they parade through town from each high school where they make red carpet, academy award style entrances through bleachers of screaming fans with live television coverage. And because it's such a big deal the kids come on fire engines, 18 wheeler trucks, somebody came on an elephant, somebody came on a tank. They get out of their cars and they preen and they yell and it's their moment to feel like a star.

For the full story, including audio clips from the film and behind the scene details from a Racine native and movie directors go to NPR.

Now, 2 years later, The World's Best Prom is still committed to documenting the over-the-top stories and memories of Racine prom-goers. A new feature on the WBP website allows Racine Prom Alums to share their photos and stories with eachother.

I found these pictures particularly striking. The first is of a bleacher lined entrance from a prom in the 60's. The second is of prom-news coverage 40 years later!