Grad Weekend Starts with Car Cruise Friday

Owatonna has a history of high school students cruising through downtown and around Central Park. These cruise nights have seen a resurgence during the pandemic. The Class of 2020 will kick off their historic graduation weekend with a 'Cruise Main' event promoted by the Steele County Safe and Drug Free Coalition Friday, June 5 from 7 - 10 pm.

Onlookers should observe safe distance practices. Word on the street is music will be played out of the band shell in Central Park. This might not be a formal parade, but I won't be surprised to see more than a few people watching the procession of vehicles. Mother Nature seems to be cooperating with a beautiful forecast all day Friday.

Sunday's parking lot commencement for the OHS Class of 2020 might be a bit more unsettled with regard to the weather. Warm and windy conditions are predicted. At times there has been an indication of thunderstorms for Sunday as well.

The ceremony will be staged in the west parking lot of the Federated Insurance AT Annexstad Building on the south side of Owatonna. The graduation exercise begins at 2 pm Sunday, June 7 and will be heard live on AM 1390 KRFO and the free KRFO app.

Each student is allowed one vehicle. The graduate and any family members must stay in their car for the entire ceremony. An opportunity for pictures will come earlier in the day on Sunday at the Foundation Building on the Steele County Fairgrounds.

Student speakers are Hamdia Idow, Joseph Brueggemeier, and Elise Sande. Advance interviews with the students can be heard during the AM 1390 KRFO Coaches Show Saturday morning at 9 am.