As the calendar flips to March, thoughts of spring pop up in many minds.

Spring and prom season go hand-in-hand, so it’s the perfect time for the 15th annual “Pop-Up Prom Shop” hosted by YWCA Bethlehem 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 5 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, South Bethlehem.

The shop will feature an inventory of more than 1,500 new dresses for just $20 each. High school juniors and seniors can select up to two dresses. Purses and jewelry are also available at no additional cost. Teens must present a high school I.D. and shoppers may bring one adult guest.

Denise Pierson-Balik, YWCA development director, highlighted the significance of the event as prom is extremely expensive.

“It costs $200-$500 to furnish a girl for prom,” she said.

“The parents are so thankful, especially the lower income families,” Mahboobeh Shekari, YWCA director of finance and administration, said.

Pierson-Balik added vouchers for free dresses are given to guidance counselors and school contacts for girls who cannot afford a dress. Students at Valley Youth House receive dresses for free.

Every year, teens from over 30 high schools from the Lehigh Valley and beyond shop the “Pop-Up Prom Shop,” saving Lehigh Valley families an estimated $50,000 in prom-related expenses. YWCA Bethlehem staff anticipates helping approximately 200 teens find their perfect dress in 2022. Although any junior or senior may attend the shop, the event has special importance for girls who might otherwise skip their prom due to the expense.

“We have such a wide reach of 30 to 40 high schools in a huge geographical area,” Pierson-Balik said. “Historically, the reach of the shop has been wide and covered all of Lehigh Valley and beyond, from Warren to Berks counties and from Bucks to Monroe counties.”

Pierson-Balik said shoppers will have such an ample amount of new dresses from which to choose thanks to large donations from Macy’s and several local bridal shops in 2020 and 2021.

Pierson-Balik said the “Pop-Up Prom Shop” dates back to 2008 and was held at hotels in the Bethlehem area for the first few years. In 2010, it moved to the State Theatre, Easton, where it was held every year until 2019. The event took place at ArtsQuest in 2019 and 2020.

“During these years, the event served hundreds of students, ranging from 125-200 shoppers per year and saving Lehigh Valley families hundreds of thousands of dollars in prom expenses,” Pierson-Balik said.

One of those students was Jasmeen Welser, youth coordinator, who purchased her prom dress at the “Pop-Up Prom Shop” at the State Theatre in 2014 while a student at Wilson Area High School. “It’s cool to see it from this side now – it’s supercool,” Welser said.

In 2021, the event shifted due to COVID-19 concerns. Instead of a large one-day event with hundreds of shoppers, it was held by appointment only at the YWCA Bethlehem headquarters in Hanover Township.

“Limiting shoppers to two at a time during evening hours, the YWCA Bethlehem was still able to provide 94 teens with new dresses at a nominal cost,” Pierson-Balik said. “We are very excited to return to ArtsQuest this year.”

Volunteer support is critical to the shop. Twenty volunteers assist with set-up the night before the event and 30 volunteers help during the event. The “Pop-Up Prom Shop” is truly a community event, made possible by numerous partners. Sponsors include ArtsQuest, Astound Broadband and Wind Creek Bethlehem. Adam Meyers Moving and Storage provides in-kind transportation services, Wegmans generously donates cosmetics for goody bags and Walgreens donates snacks and water for the many volunteers.

Monetary donations are accepted, as the funds allow the YWCA to provide more free vouchers and helps defray the rental cost of storage units and the ArtsQuest space.

Doors open 9 a.m. for the shop, located in the Blast Furnace Room, which will be set up like a boutique and have pop-up cabanas serving as 14 dressing rooms. A limited number of early bird passes to enter the shop at 8 or 8:30 a.m. are available for purchase on the YWCA website. Shoppers may try on dresses and scope out accessories. On-site seamstresses can make minor adjustments or advise what additional alterations are needed. Goody bags and prizes add to the fun.

Due to the large selection of new dresses, the YWCA is not accepting dress donations at this time, but will accept new or nearly new accessories such as purses, jewelry and shawls/wraps (no shoes please). Prom-related donations for the raffle are also accepted. Suggested items include brand new jewelry, purses or other accessories and gift certificates for prom-related services such as hair, nails, make-up or photography.

The YWCA will implement health and safety protocols in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to provide the safest experience for teens and their families.

Volunteers are needed March 4 and 5 to set up, run and break down the event.

Anyone interested in volunteering or donating may contact Pierson-Balik at developmentdirector@ywcabethlehem.org, 610-984-2202 or register on the website at www.ywcabethlehem.org.