Granted, prom night can be overrated, especially if you a) don't have a date but really wanted one or b) are a bad dancer or rhythmically challenged c) wore the same prom dress as your arch nemesis d) are so much of a partier that prom is just a painful exercise before the after parties.

The PR folks from the new virtual world Zwinktopia wrote me about their "virtual prom" they are hosting...My first reaction was this sort of thing that's going to throw parents and the teens in the "get a real life" camp over the edge. I doubt many "prom-age" teens (16-18) will not attend Zwinktopia's virtual prom, but 13-15 year olds might. They're bombarded with so much prom marketing in all the teen mags, this could be their chance to experience prom for free...before they (and their parents) experience and foot the bill for the real prom. Here's what's being planned for the avatars in Zwinky land:

- Zwinky.com is hosting its first annual virtual prom this weekend, May 18th-20th. Zwinky users will find invitations to the prom hidden throughout Zwinktopia

- A formalwear shopping boutique opened in Zwinktopia last week in anticipation for Zwinky Prom Weekend with dozens of gowns, shoes, tuxedoes, corsages and jewelry accessories for users to wear. The boutique, Z Avenue, includes its own shopping catalogue and dressing room.

- The Zwinktopia disco will be transformed into a magical prom ballroom on Friday, a stretch limousine will be parked at the bus stop to take Zwinkies to the prom, and there are a few other hidden surprises Zwinkies can discover over the weekend such as a prom party held in a secret location.

- The prom's design theme will be moon and stars. [what? No James Bond?]

- The prom is a free event and open to anyone - from those who have never attended a prom, to those who just want to relive the experience virtually. Leading up to the event, the creators of Zwinktopia are posting about their worst real-life prom experiences on their blog - SmileyBuzz.com.

I'm not sure anyone has really mastered making avatars dance that well, so at least that playing field will be leveled....

*Source: YPulse.com, May 16, 2007