By David Fortier

Members of the graduating class at Bristol Eastern High School celebrated Senior Night on Memorial Boulevard earlier this evening.

In a procession of cars filled with graduates, family members and sometimes the family pet, graduates yelled out to fellow graduates in passing vehicles and acknowledged some guests lining the boulevard, waved to the MC’s and city officials who waved in return from the Park and Rec band shell and honked horns.

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The vehicles, decorated with grad photos, signs and colorful frills, circled the three-quarter mile stretch of road beginning at 5 p.m.

The boulevard was closed to city traffic for the celebration.

Senior Night is another event in a series of month-long activities planned by parents, teachers and administrators to afford this year’s graduating class opportunities for gathering fond memories against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, which closed schools in mid-March and cut short senior celebrations.

Monday was BEHS’s evening on the boulevard.

Bristol Central celebrates Tuesday.

Senior graduation walks and preparation for a virtual graduation at each school will continue throughout the week, with graduation ceremonies for each of the schools on June 17.

David Fortier is publisher of The Bristol Edition. He is a high school teacher and belongs to the Connecticut Education Association. In addition, he is state director for the Journalism Education Association. His wife Mary is a city councilwoman who is running for state senate in the 31st District.