EHS prepares for graduation traffic, parking

Administration and faculty at Enterprise High School are working with the Enterprise Police Department to ensure traffic and parking for graduation will be easier this year.

The graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m at Wildcat Stadium. The stadium will be open to the public at 5 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be delayed until 9 p.m.

If the ceremony needs to be postponed, it will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 27, in Wildcat Stadium. Seniors would report to the school at 8 a.m.

To reduce a lack of parking spaces, graduating seniors driving to the ceremony will be asked to park at Bates Memorial Stadium between 4-5 p.m.

"Each year we evaluate our graduation ceremony and make changes to improve the graduation experience for each individual in attendance," Principal Matt Rodgers said in a release. "One of the most challenging aspects of this event is limited parking and traffic congestion. In an effort to ease those issues for the 2016 graduation ceremony, we will be providing a shuttle service from Bates Memorial Stadium. This effort is intended to reduce traffic congestion and the long waiting times for exiting the event."

There will be four buses providing shuttle services. These buses will run every 15 minutes from 4-5 p.m. They will be parked in the bus loop near the competition gym, where students will meet before the ceremony.

Band members taking part in the graduation ceremony, volleyball players and Wildcat Representatives will also be asked to park at Bates Memorial Stadium. For students being dropped off for the ceremony, the main office is the drop off point.

Police officers and EHS staff members will be patrolling the parking lots at Bates Memorial Stadium during the ceremony. Officers will also be directing traffic at EHS.

EPD Lt. Chris Peterson said guests can still expect an extended period of wait time, especially when leaving after the ceremony.

"Please allow an extended period of time due to traffic congestion," Peterson said. "Traffic will be heavy on the bypass and on North Main Street, or any area near the high school, between 8-10 p.m," Peterson said.

He asked that travelers and those attending the graduation ceremony to have patience while traffic is heavy.

Other points of information for graduation night traffic are:

• Parking spaces are limited on the EHS campus and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.

• There is no parking on restricted areas such as grass practice fields.

• The bonfire area is the only grass area where parking is allowed.

• Handicapped parking is in front of the stadium. A proper handicapped placard is required for handicapped parking.

• If the parking lot is full, shuttle service will be provided from Bates Memorial Stadium.

• At 8 p.m., entrances into the EHS campus will be closed. All traffic will be exit only until traffic congestion is resolved.

During the ceremony, please remember:

• No artificial noisemakers. Please respect all individuals by allowing them the opportunity to hear their child's name called in the ceremony.

• Balloons are limited to the pads on sides of the stadium.

• No alcoholic beverages are allowed on campus.

• No smoking within the fenced area of the stadium.

• Keep stairways and walkways clear. Please do not sit nor stand in these areas.

• No coolers, backpacks or other packages are allowed in the stadium.

• Stereos or other electronic devices which may disturb others in attendance are not allowed in the stadium.

• Standing in areas that obstruct pedestrian traffic is prohibited.

• Parents, family members and friends are not allowed on the field during the ceremony.

• At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone will be allowed to come down to the field and celebrate with their graduate.

All announcements regarding weather announcements and ceremony delays can be found on the EHS Facebook page.

"We are excited about the graduation ceremonies for the Enterprise High School Class of 2016," Rodgers said. "Graduation is one of the busiest times of the year on the EHS campus. We appreciate that support of our parents, family members and the community during this special event and want to make it a pleasurable experience for everyone."