Saturday, June 7, 2014

All Night Party - A labor of love

While the senior class and their families were participating in the graduation ceremony in the Franklin Field House, hundreds of volunteers were busy transforming the high school corridor to another world.

What can you do with a high school corridor? It is wide, concrete, has a tiled floor and not very exciting to look at. Well you'd be surprised by what can be done with a little creativity, lots of volunteers and have it all abide by the fire code for safety.

You see safety is one of the prime motivators behind the All Night Party anyway. What would high school seniors do on graduation night but go and party! With offsite parties, there would likely be alcoholic beverages. With such beverages, there would be an inevitable tragedy.

The All Night Party avoids all that. It magically transforms the high school corridor to a fun place for a party without alcoholic beverages and volunteer adult chaperones. The graduates can have a good time and their parents and families can rest assured for one night.

I was fortunate to be able to get behind the scenes and take these photos as the corridor was transformed. There was still work to be done after the graduation ceremony finished in the field house. There would be other exercise activities set up.

So let's walk along the corridor as it is being transformed...

From the field house, up the stairs to New York City at night with the stars out.

up the stairs to NYC
up the stairs to NYC

The stars are all the graduates!

FHS graduate photo as a youth
FHS graduate photo as a youngster

Through the doorway, to Hollywood. Yes, more stars.

more stars in Hollywood
more stars in Hollywood

A hand painted mural.

hand painted mural of a theater
hand painted mural of a theater

Hand crafted replicas of the Oscars! (Yes, Franklin has talent!)

one of the two Oscars with their creators
one of the two Oscars with their creators

From Hollywood, we step into Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras display
Mardi Gras display

and yes, Franklin does love a party!

FHS loves Mardi Gras
FHS loves Mardi Gras

Then we get into the high school Marathon

the memory wall
the memory wall
I'd like to have seen the memory wall at the end of the night

the Marathon Team poses
the Marathon Team poses

the marathon finish leads to Hogwarts
the marathon finish leads to Hogwarts
We catch our breathe by stepping into Hogwarts

did you bring your broom? it is quidditch time!
did you bring your broom? it is quidditch time!

watch out for the death eaters
watch out for the death eaters
From the darkness of Hogwarts, we jump into the sunshine of Panther Beach

Panther Beach
Panther Beach

pose with a local beach drifter
pose with a local beach drifter

get some good advice
get some good advice

From the beach, we take a ride to the Derby

another hand painted mural
another hand painted mural

take a ride around Franklin Downs

Franklin Downs
Franklin Downs
The horse figure first made its appearance at the All Night Party in 2004. My oldest daughter graduated that year. I wonder if she'll remember. The word has it that is has been more of a chameleon over the year than a horse, also showing up as a mule and a dinosaur at different times as well as changing color.

pose with the roses
pose with the roses

From the Derby, we join the casino cruise.

card game tables at the ready
card game tables at the ready

card game tables at the ready on both sides
card game tables at the ready on both sides

be careful how you play
be careful how you play
To contribute to or get involved in the All Night Party for next year visit their website for contact information


The full set of photos from the preparation for the All Night Party can be found on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157645098126833


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