Graduation Celebration, a free, all-night party for high school graduates in Oak Ridge, will host its 19th annual event at the Oak Ridge Civic Center, from 10 p.m. June 2 until 5 a.m. June 3. It is seeking volunteers and donations to help with this community-wide effort to keep youth safe on graduation night, a press release said.

“We are so glad to be able to offer this wonderful event to our graduates,” said Debbie Magill, chairperson of the event. “It shows our youth that the City of Oak Ridge cares about them and is proud of their accomplishments. We could not put on this event without the generous support of the Parks and Recreation Department, the Oak Ridge Youth Advisory Board, and the citizens and businesses of our city.”

All of the city’s high school graduates‚ whether from Oak Ridge High School, local home schools, or private schools—are invited to the free event. The party features activities such as inflatables, bingo, Sumo wrestling, SCUBA in the Civic Center pool, face painting, board games, and the annual “balloon drop.” More than $13,000 in prizes and scholarships are given every year in what has become an annual favorite event among the city’s youth. [Read more…]