Graduates invited to join parade to celebrate their accomplishment

Make a float out of your car and come celebrate with a graduation parade. That's what a mom in Heatherwood is telling graduates of any age or school in the area. She's organizing a car parade for May 9 in the Heatherwood neighborhood of Gunbarrel.

Kathy Kester's daughter, Sara, is graduating from the University of Colorado. Kester said she wanted to do something to mark the occasion since colleges and schools aren't doing in-person ceremonies. "I felt bad that they aren't going to have any other kind of celebration. I thought, why not try and rally this?"

"I think it's cool," said Sara Kester. "I definitely wish I was actually having graduation. But I think it will be fun. My mom got paint for the cars and somebody in our neighborhood that does banners for a living is making a banner for us. There have been a lot of people who have reached out to do what they can."

Sara and her best friend, Caitlin, plan to wear what Sara calls a sash that says University of Colorado Arts and Sciences. It is supposed to go over a graduation gown, but at least it will get some use. She earned it with degrees in integrated physiology, sociology and a certificate in public health.

Kathy initially wanted the parade to go down Lookout Road and into the Country Club neighborhood, but she was afraid the streets were too narrow, and it would clog up traffic. She said there is plenty of parking in Heatherwood on the side streets and at the elementary school. Residents and visitors can watch, clap and wave from their front yards or the sidewalk.

"I figured the Heatherwood loop is big enough that people can come out and social distance in that area," she said, adding that she wants people to be respectful and stay at least six feet apart and wear masks.

So far, there are students from CU, Boulder and Fairview high schools participating. Kester would like to have more grads, especially from neighboring Niwot. Kids graduating from elementary and middle school are also invited.

A truck from the Boulder Rural Fire Department will lead the parade. Kester sees it as a way to thank first responders while celebrating the graduates.

Participants are asked to meet at the north entrance of Heatherwood at 75th St. between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 on May 9. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and will follow the loop on Heatherwood Drive, beginning on the south end.

"We'll take a slow cruise. I figure people don't have much else to do and why not be silly for an hour out of our day and get wild and have some fun," Kathy said.