On a night better suited for a snow ball fight than a formal affair, more than 1,000 Boston University revelers turned out for the Back Bay Ball Friday.

Dressed in suits and gowns, students went downtown to the Park Plaza Hotel for the event hosted by Programming Council.

The ball, described as the university’s “very own prom,” by Lisa Parady, PC co-president, featured a performance by the BU Ballroom Dance Team and a dessert-and-snacks spread.

“The ball is a night for students to dress up and have fun,” she said. “It’s always a great time, and this year — even with the snow — people enjoyed themselves,” Parady said.

The PC dance committee has worked since August to make the red carpet-themed ball a special night, committee member and School of Hospitality Administration sophomore Kristi Donadio said.

“We set the theme of a Hollywood-style party,” Donadio said. “All of our posters featured A-list actors such as Patrick Dempsey and Scarlett Johansson.”

Some students said they braved the snowy night to find an event more upscale than an Allston party.

“I’m not in a sorority so it’s the one formal I can really go to,” College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Emily Capilouto said. “It’s a fun night out with my friends where we can wear dresses and feel glamorous.”

CAS sophomore Alex Bannon, who attended last year, said he expected fewer people to attend because of the snow storm, but was pleasantly surprised by the large turnout.

“Lots of people show up, and it’s a lot of fun,” Bannon said. “All of my friends put it together, and I wanted to show them my support.”

Ball attendance was no different from last year in spite of slushy conditions, Parady said. Hotel employees who worked the event said they enjoy the young, swing atmosphere the ball brings every year.

“It’s a safe environment where college kids can have fun,” Park Plaza bartender Karen Mack said. “We do a lot of these types of events, and the kids just love it. They love the ballroom, and we show them a good time.”

Police checked IDs at the door for students planning to drink at the event.

“The kids drink, we watch for underage drinking, and it’s our job to make sure that they stay safe,” Mack said.