As one of the key events of this weekend’s Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival, the Valentine’s Day prom is sure to light up the Mining Exchange in great balls of fire.

Dance groups across Ballarat have been brushing up on their swing, lindy hop, Charleston, cha cha cha, jive and St Louis shag for an evening of 1950s twirling fun.

Daylesford’s Barbara Smart, vice president of the increasingly-popular Ballarat Rockers dance club, said she and her husband were teens during the 50s and were delighted when the style came back.

“We moved with the times and went with disco and all the things that came through,” she said.

“We met people from the Ballarat rockers...so we decided to have classes. I love it because I get to buy the petticoats.”

Mrs Smart said few rockers did the Crocodile Roll, swing-between-the-legs moves anymore because of occupational health and safety reasons.

“No-one wants a broken hip,” she said.

Bungaree’s Mike Egan said the resurgence of rock n’ roll meant he was able to splash out with more individuality.

“You can live in the past. You can fingerprint it and everyone accepts you for what you are,” he said.

“Whenever we go out, we don’t dress in flamboyant rock n’ roll, but we live on the edge a bit.”

He said the songs back in the 50s were much better than contemporary music, which he said was “just squawking”.

“As they say, all the good songs have been sung and all the good cars have been made.”

Musicians at the prom will include Cherry Divine, CC Jerome and The Kingcats.

The Valentine’s Day prom will be held at the Mining Exchange in Lydiard Street from 7pm on Sunday night.

Entry is available to Ballarat Beat four-day or single-day pass holders. A limited amount of tickets will also be available on the door for $35, if not sold out prior.

For more information and tickets, visit www.ballaratbeat.com.au