The city of Middlesboro held a parade in honor of all students who lost their academic school year.

The parade took place Thursday, May 7 at 6 p.m. The students met in the middle school parking lot at 5:50 p.m. forming a line. They then went through the circle at Middlesboro High School and proceeded through town, turning left at 15th St. and ending at Bradener Stadium. 

Students turned into the stadium parking lot, turned around, and dispersed from there. This was done for the students’ safety and they were not to get out of vehicles. 

Officials encouraged the community to come out and support the senior class of 2020. 

“Please line the parade route with your presence, posters, cheers, and applause,” Mayor Rick Nelson asked. “While we want to celebrate our seniors’ accomplishments, we must adhere to our governor’s recommendations by practicing social distancing.” 

Guidelines that were set for the parade included:

• All seniors must remain in their cars at all times. Students may not ride in each other’s cars. You may ride with your family only.

• NO items are to be thrown from vehicles including but not limited to water balloons and spraying silly/wacky string spray.

• When entering the Stadium parking lot, please be aware of all cars. Coke company cars will be parked in that lot.

If you took pictures of the parade, school officials are asking that you use the following hashtags when tagging them on your social media pages: 

#makesomenoiseforourseniors

#classof2020

#staysafe