Senior Salute Parade (PAS Class of 2020)

The Parents of the PAS Class of 2020 and the Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting a driving parade on Tuesday May 19, starting at 6:30 pm. The purpose of the driving parade is to allow the community at large and local businesses an opportunity to honor the PAS Senior Class of 2020 while maintaining physical distancing; following the guidelines of the MN Department of Health, MN Department of Education, and the MN Office of Higher Education; and with the approval of Pipestone City Council. The date of May 19^th was selected because it would have been the seniors’ official last day of school. It is our hope to honor the PAS Class of 2020 during very unique and unforeseen circumstances that have resulted in the disruption of their final year at PAS.

The driving parade will start and end at the Paulsen Field parking lot and follow a route primarily along Hwy 30, Hwy 75, Hiawatha Ave N, Main St, and 8^th Ave SW (see attached map). The Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office, Pipestone Fire Department, and Pipestone County Ambulance/EMS will lead the parade followed by each of the 63 PAS Seniors inside vehicles driven by their parents/guardians. No students should be driving another student to avoid mixing households. Arrangements will be made for any Seniors who need an adult to drive them in order to participate. Please call the Chamber at 825-3316 for arrangements.
 
Lineup will begin at 6:00 PM at the Paulsen Field Football Field parking lot. To the parents/guardians of PAS Seniors, please drive your Senior so they can wave and participate without having to drive distracted. Only allow members of your own household inside your vehicle, and everyone must be inside the vehicle (e.g., no riding in backs/beds of pickups will be allowed since we won’t be on closed streets). While we know this will be difficult given everyone’s excitement to see each other, please keep everyone inside your vehicles during lineup, during the parade, and after the parade in order to observe physical distancing. We are confident everyone can do this, and we thank you for your cooperation. Driving participants are also encouraged to decorate their vehicles.
 
To show our community support for the PAS Class of 2020, we are encouraging businesses, churches, teachers, coaches, students, and community residents to make signs, hold balloons, and wear Pipestone Arrows or green apparel along the approximately 6 mile driving parade route. All observers must follow physical distancing guidelines along the street. Please remain either inside or directly beside your parked vehicle. No congregating in groups of greater than 10 people is allowed, and everyone needs to maintain the minimum of 6 feet physical distancing between households. Local businesses and homes are encouraged to decorate their windows and storefronts, especially if you are along the parade route. This is a long driving parade route by design so that there are a multitude of options to view the parade while maintaining physical distancing. Additionally, the driving route was selected to also include two of our three assisted living/nursing homes as some of them have relatives who are graduating and to remind them that they are loved, valued, and are part of our community! When you drive by Good Samartian Society - Pipestone and Falls Landing be sure to make some noise and wave to the residents and staff!

(***TURN YOUR PHONE SIDEWAYS FOR BETTER VIEW OF MAP***)