MARYSVILLE — The fourth annual Prom Dress Exchange and Fashion Show of North Snohomish County again drew more than 100 shoppers on March 22, as a dozen models strutted their stuff on the stage of the Damascus Road Church in Marysville.

Renae James, one of the event’s many coordinators, estimated that about 40 of the shoppers were returning customers, while the remaining 60 or so were new gals. As for the models, all but one were new this year, including two eighth-grade girls, there to represent middle school graduation. Escorting duties were carried out by two young men, from Marysville Getchell and Lake Stevens high schools. The models themselves represented Marysville Getchell and Marysville-Pilchuck high schools, as well as Arlington and Lakewood high schools, and those of Stanwood and Lake Stevens.

“The shoppers came from Edmonds-Woodway, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Stanwood, Lakewood, Burlington and Everett,” James said. “We definitely reached a broader geographic area this year.”

James and her fellow planning committee members — LeAlyce and Alexis Miller, Anita O’Sullivan, Jennifer Harvey and Jeanne Watanabe — began mapping out this year’s event as early as January.

“It takes a lot of help to put on an event like this,” James said. “That includes our swag bags, publicity, decorations, food, DJ, raffles, photographers, models — and their makeup and hair — and, of course, our collection of fabulous dresses. There were more than 500 donated dresses available for our shoppers this year.”

James credited Trusty Threads in Marysville and The Silver Hangar and Pazzaz Hair Design in Arlington with providing invaluable assistance in serving as drop-off locations for dresses.

“There were many generous donations of individuals’ and businesses’ time, talents and resources,” James said. “Our sponsor list is quite long.”

According to James, the prom dress program is currently looking for a new home, since its continual growth has given it a habit of outgrowing its previous locations.

“We’re looking for a permanent location to house the dresses, so that we can keep this program going,” James said. “Our desire is that, no matter what the season, the appropriate dresses would be available to girls in need at any time. It was very exciting to see that we really did reach our target audience of young ladies who wanted and needed to get a dress.”

If any girl is still in need of a dress, and was unable to attend the Prom Dress Exchange, she can call Pazzaz Hair Design at 360-435-2975 to schedule a time to try on some dresses. This opportunity will remain available until prom season ends.