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Despite no visible limo and a considerable lack of corsages and boutonnieres, adults who attend the Cheverly Day Dance — informally called "Cheverly Prom" — look forward each year to a night out.

But the May dance inside the Cheverly Community Center gym, scheduled for the day before Cheverly Day, has been canceled this year, a temporary sacrifice of the sour economy and the town government's need to stay within budget.

Councilman Micah Watson (Ward 2), who also helps organize Cheverly Day, said having a dance this year was not "cost-sustainable." Ticket sales generate at least $3,000, but Watson said a band and catered food alone can cost $4,000. Watson said the town makes up the difference and Councilman Michael Callahan (Ward 1) said in previous years the town has fronted about $2,000. Dances were held in 2007 and 2008.

"I didn't feel as an organizer of that and as a council member that it was a good idea to ask the taxpayers to help subsidize it," Watson said.

News of no 2009 dance prompted residents Charles Andrews and Dan Scott to start an informal poll on their blog Chvblog.blogspot.com. There were 73 votes, and residents were allowed to vote more than once, Andrews said. Results listed 64 percent wanting a dance and 36 percent who would rather stay home. In the "Cheverly, Maryland" group on the social networking Web site Facebook, an 11-post discussion is devoted to the dance.

Andrews and Scott's suggestions were increasing ticket prices by $5, easing back on catered food and getting a cheaper band. Andrews is a member of two local bands, the Cheverly Hot Noodle Concern and Soul Revolver, a Beatles cover band.

"I think what's really important about the dance is that it's a chance for everyone in the town to get out and spend time with their neighbors," Andrews said. "I don't think people care if it's catered. I think people are willing to forgo a luxury or two in favor of having a fun time."

But Watson said having "a hardcore group of folks" who still want the dance would not be enough to sustain a dance for a third year.

"It needs to have broad base support," Watson said. "We can't rely on the mayor and council and another dozen families all buying tickets. It's got to be something that's supported by a wide cross-section of the town."

Callahan said it is likely the dance will happen every other year instead of year after year. However, residents like Susan Pruden would prefer an annual dance.

Pruden said she would be disappointed to not see a dance for the third year in a row, saying last year's dance was her first time seeing a mix of newer and younger residents.

"We've got a little bit of a momentum going that it's kind of a shame to let it die," Pruden said. "For a lot of us also it's one of the few things we can do in town where you can get dressed up and it's adults only."

E-mail Natalie McGill at nmcgill@gazette.net.