RCC Has So Many Prom Dresses That Patrons Can Choose 2 For Free This Saturday In Reston

RESTON, VA — After being sidelined for two years due to COVID-19, a beloved spring tradition is returning to the Reston Community Center.

High school students from around the area will be able to choose prom dresses, jewelry and accessories for free as part of RCC's Diva Central. The event will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., this Saturday at RCC Lake Anne, which is located at 1609-A Washington Plaza in Reston.

In order to control the number of people shopping at one time, patrons must register through myRCC, using 8C1008-2A as the registration number. Those who need help setting up a household account may call 703-476-4500 and press “8.”

During last Friday's Lunch with the Reston Reporter on Facebook Live, RCC Executive Director Leila Gordon said the idea for Diva Central originated about 20 years ago.

"I'm pretty confident that we were the first local entity to do this," she said "What we were observing was that the cost of going to a formal dance was getting higher and higher and higher and higher. It's a really challenging experience, because there's so much emotion around it."

In addition, purchasing a prom dress can be a daunting financial commitment for some high school students, especially for a dress they may only wear once.

"For guys, it's a little easier," Gordon said. "They can rent a tux and then they take it back. It's not a lifetime investment to have a tuxedo on. But for young ladies, it's a very expensive proposition."

Gordon said the Reston community has been very generous over the last 20 years in donating jewelry, accessories and dry-cleaned prom dresses for Diva Central. Since the event had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, RCC is overflowing with donated items and dresses.

"Kids now can choose two formals to take home with them," Gordon said. "We used to only allow one, but the silver lining of the pandemic is we have an enormous inventory."

While students are choosing their dresses on Saturday, a caricature artist will be on hand doing personal portraits.

"We welcome volunteers," Gordon said. "If people are interested in volunteering, they can sign up through the Fairfax County volunteer management system."