The Martensville High School (MHS) 2020 graduating class will have their moment in the spotlight after all.
Martensville City Council passed a resolution during a video-conference meeting on Tuesday, June 2 to approve an informal procession of vehicles honouring graduating students.
The procession, which will feature an estimated 30 vehicles, is slated to begin at 6 pm on Friday, June 26 from Martensville High School.
The procession route will head west on 3rd Street North, then north on Baycroft Drive, south on 1st Avenue North, east on 4th Street South, north on 10th Avenue, and finally west on 3rd Street North to conclude at the North Ridge Community Centre.
Traditional high school graduation exercises are not permitted under current COVID-19 health guidelines. But the MHS 2020 Grad Parent Committee proposed the procession as a way for the community to publicly recognize the achievements of the graduating class.
In a presentation to the Martensville City Council video conference meeting June 2, MHS Grade Parent Committee spokesperson Erin Leier said the goal is to make the occasion a memorable one for the graduating students.
The Grad Parent Committee had previously been given approval by the Saskatchewan Health Authority for the procession, provided strict physical distancing guidelines were followed.
Leier told council the event will not require any street closures.
She requested that the procession be led by either the Mayor or another elected City official; or by the RCMP.
The procession will end prior to an outdoor movie night that was previously scheduled for June 26 at the North Ridge Centre.
After the movie is over, the grad planning committee is working with the Martensville Fire Department to hold a fireworks display at the site.
Martensville City Council also approved a donation of $1500 to the MHS Grad Parent Committee to cover the cost of the fireworks. The funds are part of a provincial lottery grant and were originally allocated to the Martensville Buster Days Committee for fireworks. Since Buster Days has been cancelled, that freed up the funds for the graduation day fireworks.
Martensville Mayor Kent Muench said the event offers the community an opportunity to congratulate the grads.
Martensville City Councillor Tyson Chillog said high school graduation is an important milestone for young people, and he thanked the parents for taking the initiative to organize the event.