FARMINGTON — Before Mt. Blue High School students dance the night away at the prom on Saturday, the Fairbanks School Neighborhood Association wants to provide them with a “Dinner under the Stars” from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fairbanks School Meetinghouse.

Organizer Mary Frank began thinking about a meal alternative for prom-goers last summer. After working with middle and high school students, she became aware of the cost for such things as tuxedos and dresses, for students to attend the prom.

She sought to offer something affordable and a safe environment for the students to enjoy a meal together before the prom.

“We wanted to fit a niche without taking away from what’s already available,” she said.

A full meal, buffet style, complete with appetizer, beverage, entree and dessert will be offered to prom-goers for $15 each, she said. Three entrees, beef tips, a chicken roll and vegetable lasagna with cheese sauce will be offered along with a chocolate fountain, desserts and punch and soda. There’s no tip needed, she said.

She’s not expecting this to be a large fundraiser like the many others held throughout the year by the association. The group may break even, she said.

“It’s a community service,” she added, explaining sometimes the active group wants to do more than just raise funds.

With plans to decorate the hall with small lights and colors that coordinate with the prom theme, “Midnight Ball,” Frank has worked with prom advisers, Jill Orcutt and Denise Mochamer.

Although it’s not a school sponsored activity, meal tickets will go on sale during lunch time this week at the high school while prom tickets are being sold. Teachers will also give out slips with the menu on Monday. She expects to have room and meals for about 50 students.

Tickets are available by contacting Frank at 778-4695.

Active within the association, Frank handles rentals of the two-year-old meetinghouse for functions and is also involved in upcoming fundraisers, she said.

The association will hold its annual yard and plant sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 5. A popular Art Auction of local art will be held on June 25 this year at Franklin Memorial Hospital. New this year, a silent auction will take place, she said.

In July, the group serves strawberry shortcake during the Summer Fest planned for downtown Farmington and on Aug. 7, a reunion of students who attended Fairbanks School is being planned.

The group continues to work on installation of a Share Use Kitchen in the building where local produce growers and farmers can prepare their food products. Working in conjunction with the Good Shepherd Food-Bank and with help from the town in applying for a Community Development Block Grant, the kitchen will also contain blast freezers to prepare frozen foods for local food banks. It’s a pilot project for the state, she said.

abryant@sunjournal.com