Caroline’s graduating class of 2026 will parade through town ahead of a celebration scheduled for Friday evening.

On May 29, just after 5 p.m., the graduating class will show off dresses, suits and decorated vehicles in a parade expected to follow a route similar to the Caroline Bighorn Stampede parade.

Students have also prepared a float on a flat-deck trailer for the occasion. Community members are invited to line the streets and cheer on the graduates.

“We have a really big group — 31 students will be graduating this year,” said Caroline School principal Kirsten Collison.

Before the parade, an official cap-and-gown ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the school.

Dignitaries expected to attend include MLA Jason Nixon, MP William Stevenson, Clearwater County Reeve Jordon Northcott, WRSD trustee Doug Skeels and WRSD deputy superintendent Greg Wedman.

Following the parade, graduates will take part in a banquet and celebration beginning after 6 p.m.

The class theme is “Don’t Blink,” based on the 2007 Kenny Chesney song. Collison said the theme reflects the students’ appreciation for slowing down and enjoying important moments in life.

Collison described the graduating class as resilient.

“This group of kids has been through COVID, and just this year they went through a teachers’ strike,” said Collison. “They’re a really hardworking, honest group of kids, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”