CdA, Lake City high schools to have drive-in graduations

May 14, 2020 Updated Thu., May 14, 2020 at 10:14 p.m.

By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com

Kibbie Dome lot opens for graduation, outdoor movies

Just in time for summer – and high school graduation – the University of Idaho has turned the Kibbie Dome parking into an old-fashioned drive-in theater and a commencement venue.

“2020 decided to hearken back to 1918 in a most uncool way,” the city of Moscow announced on Wednesday. “So we’ve decided to hearken to yesteryear by bringing back something awesome!”

According to the city, there has not been a drive-in theater on the Palouse for decades. That will change on Saturday with the showing of “Yesterday.” The university also will provide snacks during movies

The rest of the film schedule will be announced later. The movies are free, but space is limited.

The Kibbie Dome parking lot also will host graduation ceremonies for Moscow High School, and possibly other schools.

While Washington schools continue to wrestle with graduation plans in the face of restrictions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Coeur d’Alene Public Schools will hold a drive-in commencement next month at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds..

Graduation for Coeur d’Alene and Lake City high schools will be held on the originally planned dates of June 5 and June 6, respectively, and the ceremonies will be broadcast on large screens with sound broadcast on FM radio, the district said Thursday.

Precautions have been approved to allow graduation to comply with guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho governor’s office, with approval by the Panhandle Health District.

Seniors will arrive in vehicles with family members. Each will have a chance to leave their vehicle and cross the stage, in cap and gown, to receive their diplomas. The vehicle may not be a limousine or other oversized car or boat.

Guests will remain in their vehicles and will be able to follow the ceremony on large projection screens and listen to a broadcast of the event.

The district will provide professional photo and video services at the stage and make those images available to all families.

The ceremony also will be streamed live on social media for other family and friends to follow from home.

Venture High School will hold a similar ceremony on its campus.