Chester alumni celebrate reuniting with a holiday-themed parade

By Leah M. Cunningham
©2015-Telegraph Publishing LLC

T he unsettled weather of the morning cleared up just in time for Chester’s annual Alumni Day parade, which kicked off at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 6.

This year’s theme was Holidays, and several returning classes went all out with their floats, including an Earth Day float, one celebrating Halloween and one commemorating the 4th of July.

The Class of 2015 went farther afield for its holiday float, depicting the Hindu celebration of colors and love known as Holi. Other alumni were just happy to reunite and march — or ride  — along Main Street.

Smiling faces could be seen all along the parade route as returning alumni of Green Mountain Union High School caught up and soon-to-be alumni celebrated their upcoming graduation. The GMUHS Class of 2015 will graduate at 7 p.m. Friday, June 19 at the high school.

Photos by Leah M. Cunningham. Click on any photo to launch gallery. 

Chester-Andover Elementary students march by waving flags and smiling.

A small contigent in a weather-appropriate convertible represents the GMUHS Class of 1944.

It was a classic Chevy for the hip Class of 1960.

The GMUHS Marching Band entertained.

GMUHS, Class of 1965 carries a sign that says Retirement Every Day is a Holiday.

Emmitt Hutton points out a float to his friend Rowan McIntyre.

The Chester Fire Department rolls by on all-terrain equipment.

In true Vermont fashion, tractors make an appearance.

Chester Historical Society.

Class of ’75 celebrates Earth Day.

GMUHS Class of 1984 decides to go scary with its Halloween float.

No clowning around, there is plety of candy to go around.

GMUHS Class of 1995 foreshadows the upcoming 4th of July holiday with its red, white and blue float, complete with ‘fireworks.’

The Class of ’15 brings the spirit from around the world with Holi, the Hindu color festival. A close up of the group is on the cover.

CAES baseball team marches by with pride.

Some showers of water can’t be predicted by the weather reports.

As the crowds disperse, smiles remain.

Gwen Kekic, left, marched in the parade with the CAES baseball team and her friend Olivia Wright ran the Interact 5k before the parade.