On Saturday, June 6, 2020 Wellesley High School will be holding a moving mobile graduation for the Class of 2020. The event will consist of a parade through town for the graduating seniors. The parade will end at Wellesley High School, where each senior will receive their diploma.
The parade will be led and supported by the Wellesley Police Department. Traffic will be disrupted at times in the morning, but we ask the community to show their support for our graduating Wellesley High School Senior Class. We ask the public to be mindful of social distancing and face coverings if you come out to support our graduating seniors.
The main section of the parade will be on Washington Street from Wellesley Ave to Walnut Street. Washington Street will be closed in that area from 9AM to approximately 10 AM. Washington Street will re-open in sections as the parade passes through. Updates on road openings will be posted on the Wellesley Police Department’s Twitter feed (@WellesleyPolice).
Here’s what you need to know:
At 9:00 AM, the parade will start from Babson College on Wellesley Avenue. The parade will travel down Wellesley Avenue to Washington Street near the Town Hall. Seaver Street and Great Plain Ave will be closed for the parade to pass through.
The parade will take a right on Washington Street and head east on Route 16 towards Wellesley Hills. Washington Street will be closed to all traffic from Wellesley Avenue to Route 9 while the parade is passing by.
This road closure includes the Kingsbury Street, Rockland Street, and Cliff Road bridges. Major cross roads that intersect with Washington Street will also be closed until the parade passes (Rice, Forest, Abbott, Cliff, Maugus, etc).
The parade will pass through Wellesley Hills, still heading east on Washington Street. The ramps from Route 9 to Washington Street will be closed. Westbound traffic on Washington Street from the Lower Falls area will diverted on to Route 9 until the parade passes through.
The parade will continue down Washington Street, taking a right on to Walnut Street. The parade will go east on Walnut Street to Cedar Street. The parade will then turn right on to Cedar Street and go southbound over Route 9. Street closures will be in place (River Street, Walnut Street at Cedar) as well as the ramps from Route 9 to Cedar Street.
Washington Street will be fully opened once the parade is completely on Walnut Street.
The parade will continue on Cedar Street, then to Hunnewell Street, and back on to Wellesley Avenue. The parade will travel along Wellesley Avenue, and take a right on to Clifford Street, then a right on Smith Street to Rice Street and the Wellesley High School entrance. Graduates will receive their diplomas in the parking lot, and exit on to Rice or Paine Street.
While the parade is moving, it should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to pass each location.
There may continue to be delays on Wellesley Ave, Clifford Street, and State Street until the event ends, which is expected around noon.