by Anna M. Jones

Making the trek to Clayton from Smithton, Il., Mike was definitely worried that he and his date, Kristen, would be late for the big night, the third annual Pujols Family Foundation Autumn Prom.

So when his mom, Donna Biffar, pulled into the Crowne Plaza on the evening of October 23, Mike, 22, bolted out of the back seat, ran around the back of the car and he and Kristen flew up the red carpet into the lobby, all but leaving mom and grandma in a cloud of dust.

But as soon as Donna heard the cheering throng greet Mike and Kristen, she knew all was well.

“He was so worried he’d miss that part,” said Donna of the red-carpet greeting that welcomes all the prom-goers. “That and the food are his favorite. He’s been so excited.

“He says, ‘We eat, we shake our bootie, we kiss.’ It’s a very romantic evening for him. … Those two are inseparable. They’ll be coming to this event forever.”

Approximately 350 youths and adults with Down syndrome and their dates attended the prom, making it the biggest turnout yet at the event.

Attendees ranged from 16 years well into adulthood, and attire even included tuxedos for some of the guys and formal gowns and heels for some of the gals. And some even arrived via limousine.

“It’s fun, I like dancing,” said a giggling Kaitlyn Trower, 16, who was excited to be old enough to attend the now much-anticipated event. She came with her date and classmate, Chris Burkhart, 16, and added that, “We both like the slow dances.”

Needless to say, the ballroom was stunning. But perhaps even more impressive was all the food. Three of four walls were lined with every imaginable item possible. From Papa John’s pizza to a burger bar to pastas, a gluten free table, desserts, plus Maui Wowi smoothies, Fitz’s root beer, Cold Stone Creamery and more!

By 7:30 p.m. every table, including some located just outside the ballroom, was full with couples laughing and eating and waving their arms to Smashband’s tunes.

By 7:50 p.m., all eyes were on stage. Albert Pujols, who had just undergone elbow surgery two days earlier, took to the stage and was joined by Deidre, who is pregnant with the Pujols’ fourth child.

Albert even laughed about perhaps having a fifth child someday, to match his jersey number, and then Deidre kicked off the rest of the evening by asking everyone, “Are you ready to rock the house tonight!”

And with that, the dance floor was packed for the better part of the next two-plus hours, with prom-goers dancing to everything from Funkytown to Michael Jackson’s Thriller to a Miley Cyrus tune or two.

Even Theresa Mingo, 78, who attended with her son, James Patrick, 51, was dancing her heart out.

“I just enjoy seeing the young adults having so much fun,” said Theresa, a former professional dancer. “Everyone here is so motivated. And there’s so, so much love here.”

And energy. With Mike of Mike’s Balloon Creations making elaborate balloon hat characters, the dance floor was a wild array of bopping heads and sweaty kids.

“I like dancing and music,” said Jimmy Simmons, 25, who

danced for hours with date Jessica Berry, 24.

With all the energy in the room, it didn’t take long for the attendees to climb up on the stage and join in with the Smashband members, who could not have been more accommodating. The band members even shared their microphones and instruments with the dozens who joined them.

“This is the most rocking dance we do all year! And that includes New Year’s, which is rocking too,” band leader Smash told the crowd.

A telling moment about the spirit of the evening came when the band took a brief break at 8:30. Even that didn’t slow some of the prom-goers, and when St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird made his debut a few minutes later, he was swarmed on the dance floor.

About 50 people were bantering and mugging and posing with Fredbird, when 8-year-old AJ Pujols weaved and wove his way through the crowd to catch Fredbird’s attention.

Once AJ found his way up to the Cardinals mascot, he grabbed Fredbird and pulled him –and the crowd -- across the dance floor to a corner near the stage where a tuxedo-clad young man in a wheelchair was taking in the action.

The young man, Jessie, 21, was attending his first Autumn Prom and when he saw Fredbird, his face absolutely glowed. Fredbird spent the next few minutes high-fiving and playing with Jessie as the crowd laughed and clapped.

“This is so wonderful,” said Jessie’s mom, Cathy Mullins. “This is the happiest place on earth right now.”

Just minutes later, the Smashband was back, the music thumping, and a Fredbird-led conga line the length of the room and then some was weaving its way out one ballroom door and back in through another.

It was truly an amazing night that everyone was able to share in. The Pujols Family Foundation Autumn Prom has become one of the most anticipate events of the year. And everyone cannot wait for next year.

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