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Photo courtesy of John Tyree

Hidden Valley High School A band performs at the after-prom event at Hidden Valley High School on May 2.

It's 2:30 a.m. On any other given Sunday morning, Hidden Valley High School would be abandoned. But not on this recent Sunday.

Students crowded around a band to listen to a remake of "Crash Into Me" from the Dave Matthews Band. Meanwhile, students next to the stage battled each other in an inflatable obstacle course, and giant hamster ball races scurried around nearby.

In the gym next door, a Vegas-like casino had been set up to accommodate tables of blackjack, poker and craps.

So, what were all these students doing in school at 2:30 a.m. on a Sunday? They were enjoying an after-prom party.

Local high schools and the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition have been teaming up for 20 years to provide teens with a fun and safe place to go to after the prom, and this year is no different.

"Prom night has historically been a time when teenagers risk their lives and those of others by mixing driving with drinking and drugging. After- prom parties are an excellent alternative to this dangerous partying, and area schools are planning these school-sanctioned parties for their students," according to the coalition's Web site.

The coalition provides many area high schools with funding and prizes to give away at the after-prom events. Sponsors also donate prizes, such as flat-screen TVs, cash and even a new Nissan Versa for one lucky winner.

The Hidden Valley parent-teacher-student organization also helps with the after-prom party. A goal is to spend money on things that will attract students to attend.

"In the PTSO budget, after-prom has a budgeted amount of $19,650," said Hidden Valley PTSO President Lucy Walton.

Planning after-prom parties can be a challenge, and takes several months.

"We start planning in early fall, if not before, for that upcoming spring," Walton said. Also, this year, more than 60 parents volunteered to help.

"We really feel this is a wonderful alternative for students to enjoy a drug- and alcohol-free event after the prom," Walton said.

Lisa Meyers, a sophomore at Hidden Valley, attended the after-prom event earlier this month and said that she had a better time at the event than at the actual prom.

"It was more relaxed, and you just got to have fun without added pressure," she said. Her favorite part was the hamster ball races. "I completely dominated."

"I will most definitely come back next year," Meyers said.

Activities during the after-prom event included a live band, a photo booth for students to take pictures, and lots of food and free energy drinks to help teenagers get through the late hours.

Those perks, along with cash prizes, brought more than 438 students to Hidden Valley's after-prom event earlier this month.

"It was worth the $15 to pay for the tickets because I ended up earning $30 in cash prizes throughout the night by playing in the casino," said Rhyan Harris, a Hidden Valley senior.