Administrators of a local social media group have organized a parade to honor the graduating Class of 2020 from Crowley High School.
Originally scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 14 — the time and date graduation ceremonies would have been held had it not been for the coronavirus outbreak — the parade had to be rescheduled when Gov. John Bel Edwards extended the statewide stay-at-home order through May 15.
According to Richard Villejoin, one of the parade organizers, the parade will be held Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m.
Mayor Tim Monceaux said he fully supports the efforts to honor the graduates as long as social distancing guidelines are adhered to.
“They went and talked to Chief (Jimmy) Broussard and he OK’d it and said his officers would block off the streets,” Monceaux said.
Original plans were to hold three parades to honor graduates from all three high schools in the city — Crowley High, Notre Dame and Northside Christian. But officials at Notre Dame and Northside explained they are planning events for their graduates and would not be participating in the parade.
Acadia Parish Superintendent Scott Richard said the parade “is not a school-sanctioned/sponsored event; however, we welcome any effort to recognize our seniors given the challenges we are faced with due to COVID-19.”
According to the proposal approved by Chief Broussard, no “throws” (beads, candy, etc.) will be allowed by anyone participating in the parade.
“We feel the already marked and assumed parking spots along the parade route (North Parkerson Avenue) will establish good social distancing,” committee members explain in the proposal. “All participating families will be reminded numerous times about the importance of social distancing.”
All spectators will be asked to remain at or in their vehicle for the duration of the parade.
Each registered graduate will receive two “parking passes.” The passes must be displayed in the windshield of any vehicle parked along the parade route. Any vehicle without a parking pass will be asked to move from the route.
“There are 132 graduates at Crowley High at last count,” said Villejoin. “We’re figuring about 75 to 80 percent of them will be participating. With no floats, there will be anywhere from 70 to 75 vehicles in the parade.”
Villejoin said the units will line up in front of Crowley Kindergarten and the parish library and “follow the same route as the Christmas and Rice Festival parades ... except we’ll turn at Third Street so we don’t block Highwy 90.”
While there is no fee to enter, Villejoin said registration is necessary. Registration packets have been assembled for those wishing to participate. The packets, which also include a list of guidelines that must be adhered to, can be obtained by contacting either Villejoin or co-chair Shyri Lewis on Facebook.
Other members of the committee include Sharon Mott and Emily Stoma.
“Shyri and I are excited to head up the team for the Crowley High parade and we hope that as many graduates as possible will participate,” Villejoin posted on his Facebook page. “And to all of you adults, please remember this is not about you, it’s for the kids!”