New Albany Seniors on Parade: Many Photographs -

It was the longest parade route ever in the history of New Albany. Early evening of Friday, May 22, 2020.

The 2020 New Albany High School Seniors started, as they had 12 years ago, at the elementary school. From Sam Barkley Drive, they paraded through town past the middle school and ended at the high school on Highway 15. Parades up Fifth Avenue in New York or Pennsylvania Avenue on Presidential Inaugural day aren’t that long.

Nobody has ever seen a parade like it and they may never again. A real once-in-a-lifetime procession.

Prevented by the coronavirus pandemic from enjoying a traditional high school graduation ceremony, the 2020 seniors created their own joyful event.

Riding in motor vehicles decorated with balloons, banners, pom-poms, and photographs, the seniors waved and grinned to cheering friends along the route.

Each student’s vehicle stopped in front of the decorated high school entrance. There, the student disembarked, and was announced while walking up to get their graduation packet, including caps and gowns. They were cheered on by fellow students and the presentation was live-streamed, as well.

Eschewing the traditional handshakes, they got back into their cars, many riding with family members and went of to enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend.