Community Corner
GMU Warns of Traffic, Noise as Graduations Begin
Roughly two dozen graduation ceremonies will take place at nearby George Mason University in the coming weeks.
June not only means the start of summer, it also means - graduation season is upon us.
And, when you live close to George Mason University, as residents of Fairfax City do, that means streets can get fairly congested as thousands of families commute in and out of the area to attend the ceremonies.
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GMU sent out a statement earlier this week warning locals of the coming congestion as June approaches.
"High school graduations at the Patriot Center begin in June," the letter read. "Mason is host to two dozen area high school graduations this year, with attendance at each ceremony ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 graduates and their family members."
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Each ceremony lasts approximately two hours, GMU's statement said.
"Be prepared for heavier traffic up to 90 minutes prior to each ceremony, and allow more time to drive to and from campus," the statement continued.
GMU indicated the campus will be best accessed through entrances off of University Drive or Roberts Road.
Below is a list of graduations to be held at GMU's Patriot Center in June, to allow commuters to plan accordingly.
June 2, 2:30 p.m. - Paul VI Catholic High School
June 8, 9:30 a.m. - Hylton High School (Woodbridge)
June 8, 2:30 p.m. - Forest Park High School (Woodbridge)
June 9, 2 p.m. - Park View High School (Sterling)
June 9, 7 p.m. - Broad Run High School (Ashburn)
June 10, 10 a.m. - Freedom High School (South Riding/LCPS)
June 10, 2 p.m. - Stone Bridge High School (Ashburn)
June 10, 7 p.m. - Briar Woods High School (Ashburn)
June 12, 7 p.m. - Freedom High School (Woodbridge/PWCPS)
June 13, 9:30 a.m. - Robinson Secondary School (Fairfax)
June 13, 2 p.m. - Falls Church High School
June 13, 7:30 p.m. - Chantilly High School
June 14, 9:30 p.m. - Oakton High School
June 14, 2 p.m. - West Springfield High School
June 14, 7 p.m. - Gar-Field High School (Woodbridge)
June 15, 2 p.m. - Osbourn Park (Manassas)
June 15, 7 p.m. - TJHSST (Alexandria)
June 17, 9:30 a.m. - South County High School (Lorton)
June 17, 2 p.m. - Robert E. Lee High School (Springfield)
June 17, 7:30 p.m. - Westfield High School (Chantilly)
June 18, 9:30 a.m. - Centreville High School
June 18, 2 p.m. - West Potomac High School (Alexandria)
June 18, 7:30 p.m. - Herndon High School
June 19, 9:30 a.m. - Lake Braddock (Burke)
TELL US - Do high school graduations at GMU mess up your commute? Tell us in the comments.
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