PORTAGE | Area high school students can find everything they need for prom - from a fancy gown to a deep, dark tan - when Portage High School hosts its Prom Fashion and Expo Show on Thursday.

Those with a collegiate bent even can find information about a couple of area colleges among the estimated 30 vendors who'll set up in the commons area at the high school, 6450 E. U.S. 6,

This is the first year that Portage has hosted the fashion show that will feature 60 models, including Principal Caren Swickard, Assistant Principal Tom Sanidas and students from Merrillville, Hobart, Wheeler, Valparaiso, Portage Christian and perhaps Chesterton. Students from all Northwest Indiana high schools have been invited to the show.

They'll hit the runway for two fashion shows. The first will be at 5:45 p.m., followed by a second show at 7:15 p.m. The shows will be identical except for the music.

The cost is $3 per person or $2 with a school ID. Children 13 years and younger will be admitted free. Proceeds will go toward offsetting the cost of staging Portage's annual prom, said Mary Lembcke, the faculty adviser organizing the students in staging the extravaganza.

"That way, we can do more than what's been done in the past," she said.

New this year will be a May 2 grand march at the high school prior to the evening's prom to be held at the Porter County Expo Center, 215 Division Road, Washington Township. The prom photographer will be on hand to take photos. The prom's theme is "Midnight in Paris."

Missing from this year's prom will be dinner. Students overwhelmingly voted not to have dinner at the dance, Lembcke said.

Vendors at Thursday's show will showcase wares and services, including tanning, hair salons, day spa, limousines, jewelry, purses, flowers, bridal shops, tuxedo shops and a couple of colleges.

"The kids are definitely excited about it," Lembcke said. "There's quite a bit of buzz. We're hoping for a good attendance."

Since this is the first year for the event, Lembcke said there's no way of knowing how big of a crowd the fashion show will attract, but she's optimistic that it will draw a large audience.

"I think it's definitely going to be worth it in the end," she said.

If you go:

The Portage High School junior class will host a Prom Fashion and Expo Show from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the high school, 6450 E. U.S. 6. The event will include two fashion shows and businesses offering discounts, prizes and products for sale. The cost is $3 per person or $2 with a school ID. Children 13 years and younger will be admitted free. Models from schools throughout Porter County will participate.

FYI: Call (219) 764-6091.