What to bring

Because both ceremonies are in the afternoon, schools recommend bringing sunscreen and water. And if it’s hot, sunglasses and a hat are a good idea. High temperatures are expected to be in the upper 70s to low 80s under mostly sunny skies.

When to arrive

This year, Free State High School will graduate first at 1 p.m. Lawrence High School follows at 4 p.m. Both ceremonies are expected to last 90 minutes or longer. Seniors start arriving an hour to 30 minutes before the ceremony, so people wanting a large seating area or a certain spot might consider coming early.

Where to park

Each of the school’s graduations will be held at their football fields. At Free State High School, Assistant Principal Lisa Boyd said that there is plenty of parking. However, there are a limited number of handicapped spaces in the west parking lot. There are other handicapped parking spaces in the main parking lot area and at the aquatic center.

What to do if it rains

Principals at both high schools will decide by 10 a.m. if weather will force graduations inside. If so, the events will be moved to Kansas University’s Allen Fieldhouse. If there is a decision to go inside, both schools will do so. All seniors will receive word of the change through the district’s phone messaging system. It will also be broadcast on the district’s website and through local media, including LJWorld.com.

After graduation:

All area high school graduates are welcome to celebrate at Project Graduation, an annual drug- and alcohol-free party hosted by parents. The celebration is tonight from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. Along with casino games, a live DJ, mechanical bull, karaoke, photo booth, food and soft drinks, there will be $20,000 worth of prizes handed out to graduates. The top prize, eligible for those who stay until 3 a.m., will be for a used Ford Explorer.

Tickets, which are $10, can be purchased at the door.