What makes a great graduation party? The short answer: family, friends, awesome food and a graduate. Add a clear blue sky, temperatures in the 70s, and a calm breeze, and you have the perfect recipe to celebrate a graduate!
This past Saturday, we headed to Montevideo for my granddaughter Adelyn’s graduation party. It met every requirement for a perfect celebration. My son Brandon and his wife Katie—with plenty of help from family and friends—pulled it off beautifully. As Adelyn is the oldest, this was their first time hosting a graduation bash, and they nailed it.
A Unique Venue
Since Brandon is a Montevideo firefighter, they held the gathering at the Montevideo Fire Hall. It was a fantastic space, though I did have to joke with Brandon when I arrived: “What happens if a fire call comes in?”
Turns out, they were one step ahead. They had the firetruck parked and ready right outside. Sure enough, midway through the party, the alarm sounded! We watched as firefighters arrived, geared up in seconds, and headed out with sirens blaring. That’s definitely something you don’t see at every graduation party!
Honoring the Past
I’ve attended hundreds of these parties over the years, and while they all share the classic traditions of trophies and punch bowls, Adelyn’s had a very touching addition. She set up a memorial table for the loved ones who couldn’t be there.
It featured photos of my mother and Roxie’s mom holding Adelyn as a baby, along with a beautiful tribute to Katie’s mother, Nancy, who was very close to Adelyn. I spent a lot of time looking at those pictures; it was a wonderful way to honor the family roots that helped her get to this milestone.
The Lemonade Bar & Sweet Treats
I spent a good chunk of my time at the Lemonade Bar. I lost track of how many glasses I had! You could mix the lemonade with flavors like:
- Syrups: Mango, Coconut, and Pineapple.
- Frozen Fruit: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and pineapple chunks.
It was incredibly refreshing. To pair with the drinks, Adelyn had asked Roxie to bake her famous star cookies and chocolate chip cookies. Roxie made a mountain of them, and they were a massive hit with the crowd.
Wrapping Up the Day
Of course, the highlight was the company. Roxie’s side of the family all made it out, which was a rare treat since we don’t get to see each other often enough. After we finished cleaning up the hall, we moved the celebration back to Brandon’s house to keep the party going.
Adelyn was all smiles all day long. It was an amazing display of love for a great kid. With Lac Qui Parle Valley and Dawson-Boyd graduations coming up next week, my calendar is already filling up with more parties—so stay tuned for more updates!
Raymo's Ramblings 