Reading Throwing Parade For Graduating Seniors

READING, MA – Reading will honor its graduating seniors with a Spirit Parade this Saturday, school and public safety officials announced Thursday. The parade will start in the Jordan's Furniture parking lot, 50 Walkers Brook Drive, at 10 a.m. and end at Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road.

Participating Reading Memorial High School seniors are asked to arrive at the starting point by 9:15 a.m. Accompanied by a parent or guardian, students will be able to drive from the starting point to RMHS, where they will be greeted by staff and faculty. One vehicle per student will be allowed, and participants must remain in their cars at all times.

Participants are encouraged to decorate their cars in a way that does not obstruct the driver’s view, and should do so before coming to the parade start location. Seat belts must be worn at all times.

Supporters who are not in the parade or part of RMHS faculty can park along the parade route where it is legally allowed. Limited parking spaces are available from Main Street and Washington Street to Main Street by Woburn Street. Limited parking is also available on Birch Meadow Drive and on both sides of Oakland Road.

Only RMHS staff and faculty will be allowed to park at the high school. Members of the Reading Police Department will lead the parade along the route and officers will be stationed along the route to direct traffic.

All who attend the parade should follow social distancing guidelines, and wear a cloth face mask or covering.

Once the parade has ended, participants will be directed to take a right from Mary’s Road onto Oakland Road and exit the school grounds using Longfellow Road. The school grounds will be closed at the end of the parade. All participants and onlookers must disperse from the area, and may not congregate afterwards in order to comply with social distancing guidelines.

The event will be held rain or shine. The parade was organized by Principal Boynton, School Resource Officers Brian Lewis and Matthew Vatcher, and Safety Officer Michael Scouten.

Please contact Principal Boynton at Kathleen.Boynton@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions.