On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Twin Peaks High School Class of 1989 gathered together at Snoqualmie Valley Eagles for their prom. This incredibly fun activity was part of the Real Twin Peaks 2025 event in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, Feb. 21-24. While this wasn’t the real class of 1989 from David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange town, it didn’t stop attendees from dressing in their 1980s best and staying forever young.
TWIN PEAKS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1989 PROM
The Class of 1989 Prom was held from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at Snoqualmie Valley Eagles located at 8200 Railroad Avenue in downtown Snoqualmie. The former car dealership-turned-Eagles headquarters was decorated for a night of dancing, live music, and prom festivities.
Attendees were encouraged to “dress appropriately for the 1989 Prom to avoid disclosing your true identity and time.” Prom tickets were included with the VIP Ticket or sold separately for $40 each. The theme of the night was “Forever Young,”
Dwaine Wheeler served as DJ for most of the evening with a late night set by DJ Mallie.
Seattle’s own “Doom-Wop” band Prom Queen also performed live inside Sno-Valley Eagles.
ACTIVITIES AT THE TWIN PEAKS HIGH SCHOOL PROM
Attendees enjoyed themed cake and snacks while attending prom. A food truck served hot food outside the Sno-Valley Eagles and the bar was staffed by wonderful volunteers.
There was plenty of cake for everyone, cut and served by the incomparable Mary Hütter.
Prom goers could also pose for Twin Peaks High School Prom photos in a red, black and silver balloon arch. I love the sign which gives a nod to the fictional high school’s mascot – the Steeplejacks.
Behind the Prom photo area was a hidden room with standees of Kyle MacLachlan dressed as Special Agent Dale Cooper and Dougie Jones from Twin Peaks: The Return.
On the opposite side of the room, costumed and non-costumed attendees could post for photos inside the fan-made Red Room, complete with Saturn lamp, faux coffee in a cup and a Venus de Milo statue.
The party was hoping all evening with dance floor being packed throughout the evening (DJ Dwaine Wheeler really know his stuff!).
It was such a joy seeing so fan Twin Peaks and David Lynch fans gathered on a Saturday night in Snoqualmie Valley. David once told David Letterman in 1991 that “Twin Peaks people” are party people.
I stood on a chair with my Canon 15-35mm wide angle lens to grab this photo of the entire “Junior and Senior” classmates gathered for this year’s prom. I asked everyone to close their eyes and then open them after I counted down from three to one. This was a trick I learned to get everyone to not blink.
TWIN PEAKS COSTUMES
Real Twin Peaks attendees were encouraged to dress up in their 1980s best or dress in costume. I love the “Blue Rose” jacket and need that in my closet!
I particularly liked David Wirch’s totally 80s outfit which reminded me of Michael Ontkean’s photoshoot with Kyle MacLachlan by Randee St. Nicolas for US Weekly magazine on May 28, 1990.
Deputy Andy Brennan from the Horne’s fashion show at The Great Northern and a celebratory-but-catatonic Leo Johnson also attended the event.
There were several folks dressed like FBI Agents and one Laura Palmer from the Red Room, complete with the white eyes.
One Killer BOB also showed up complete with long, gray hair.
For me, I chose Special Agent Dale Cooper’s relaxed, double-breasted suit look from Twin Peaks episode 2.020 while Ashleigh Raczkowski chose Annie Blackburn from the Miss Twin Peaks contest. She found a replica dress that Heather Graham wore during the show – incredible!
This isn’t the first time Ashleigh and I showed up in costume. During the Fayetteville Comic Show in February 2020, I dressed as Deputy Dale Cooper while she was dressed as Teresa Banks from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.
CROWNING PROM QUEEN AND PROM KING
To crown the Prom King, interested participants joined a limbo line. The individual was made it through the line until the end was crowned King. Mary Hütter, however, also made necklaces for the second and third place winners.
For Prom Queen, the game was musical chairs for those interested in the crown.
You can see one of the necklaces Mary made in this photo.
The winners of each contest received a red sash with their respective titles and the date 1989 and a red jeweled crown.
SEATTLE’S PROM QUEEN PERFORMS
Around 10:30 p.m., Seattle-based band Prom Queen took the stage. I first saw lead singer Leeni Ramadan perform on the same stage during the Real Twin Peaks 2023 event. She is a synthpop producer and chiptune artist, who creates music on Gameboys.
Based in Emerald City, she has been producing and performing electronic music since 2006 and has completed 3 full-length albums (you can find her on Bandcamp). Her “Stranger Peaks” song is a gem of a mash-up, covering Angelo Badalamenti’s “Laura Palmer’s Theme” in the style of S.U.R.V.I.V.E.’s theme to Stranger Things.
Bathed in a purple hue, the band sounded incredible as they performed several songs from the Twin Peaks soundtrack.
In the background, images and video clips inspired by Twin Peaks were shown as the musicians played.
Leeni’s sensuous voice carried throughout the venue inspiring Prom attendees to fill the dance floor. I was captivated by the performance (so much that I only took a handful of images and no video).
The matching pink outfits were a nice touch, perhaps a nod to The Pink Room from Lynch’s 1992 film.
This was my first time seeing Prom Queen perform and now I know why everyone was excited they would be at the event. A great soundtrack to the festive evening in Snoqualmie Valley.
SOME OF YOUR FRIENDS ARE HERE
I arrived later to the event as I was assisting Mike McGraner and Ray Wise with duties at The North Bend Theatre following his meet and greet with fans. Nevertheless, I had moments to capture friends having a great time.
Below is a gallery of shots of some people who attended the event. Thank you for taking a few moments to pose for these images.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED PROM
A big thank you to all who attended the Twin Peaks High School Class of 1989 Prom. I also want to thank Mary Hütter; Karl Reinsch; Jessica Self and the North Bend Downtown Foundation Team; Historic Downtown Snoqualmie; Snoqualmie Valley Eagles and their incredible staff, DJ Dwaine Wheeler, DJ Mallie Majarais, and Prom Queen, and several other volunteers who helped with decorating, set up and tear down from the event.
Most fun I’ve had in a long time, making dougie dance for everyone. Hopefully this returns next year!