Mattawa council looks at improvements to Wahluke grad parade

MATTAWA — Changes could be coming to the parade that follows Wahluke High School graduation.  

The parade was held in lieu of graduation in 2020, and seniors and their families have staged a parade every year since. Wahluke Principal Cody Marlowe told Mattawa City Council members the class of 2025 wants to continue the tradition, and WHS administrators are working to make it better.  

“There are some things that we want to do, having a parent meeting for all the senior parents and the seniors, making it a required (meeting) if you are going to be part of the parade,” Marlowe said. “We feel like it’s still a really popular event, and kids will still want to take part in it, and parents will too. But we feel like we need to tighten up the reins a little bit on some of those expectations.” 

He asked for suggestions from council members.  

Council member Tony Acosta said council members had received complaints that the parade route essentially shut down traffic city-wide. He suggested reviewing the route. Council member Fabiola Hernandez said more help was needed for traffic control and asked for additional volunteers.  

Council member Wendy Lopez said more advance notice would be a good idea since that’s a Friday night during cherry season and a lot of workers from nearby orchards are coming to town. There should be a way to keep the parade and accommodate residents and visitors who aren’t involved in graduation, she said.  

“You only graduate once,” Lopez said. “Some kids, (they’re) the first generation graduating from high school and they feel proud. Their families feel proud. We just want to do something safer for the community and all involved.” 

Mayor Maria Celaya suggested that the council delay approving the application pending an updated plan, and council members agreed to that.