Senior Parade + Senior Sunrise
Monday, August 24, 2026 - First Day of School Before School Apex Nature Park (Amphitheater Entrance) → AFHS Stadium
This year's theme is Luau.
What It Is
This is the morning your student will remember. The Class of 2027 gathers at Apex Nature Park, decorates their cars, and drives together to Apex Friendship for the first day of school. It is loud, proud, and one of the best mornings of senior year.
After the parade, seniors head to the stadium for food, music, and a senior group photo. That is Senior Sunrise.
We have a permit through the Apex Police Department and officers will be directing traffic along the route. Parent volunteers help keep things moving at the park and at the school.
What Your Senior Needs to Know
- Where to meet: Apex Nature Park, Amphitheater / Dog Park entrance (2600 Evans Rd)
- Arrive by 6:00 AM for lineup
- Parade starts moving at 6:30 AM
- Decorate your car to match the Luau theme. Window paint, streamers, inflatables - make it yours. Look at what last year's class did for inspiration.
- Volunteers and police will direct you at the park - just follow instructions
- Prizes for the top 3 decorated vehicles - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place gift cards, judged on the Luau theme
- After parade: Seniors go to the stadium for Senior Sunrise
- Expected participants: about 700 seniors
What Parents Need to Know
- Permitted event through Apex Police Department with officers on the route
- We need volunteers at the park and at the school for sunrise
- Snack and water donations help feed about 700 seniors
- This event starts early. Really early.
Senior Sunrise
After the parade arrives at AFHS, seniors head to the stadium for Senior Sunrise.
Tables are already set up in the stadium. The school provides large bins of ice for beverages. We just need to show up with food.
- PTSA provides light breakfast: water (with drink flavor packets to stir in), donuts, muffins, granola bars, Pop-Tarts, fruit cups
- Gluten-free and allergy-friendly options will be available
- We will do our best to get the "27" photo on the field in senior shirts. Time is tight that morning, so it may not always come together, but it is one of the coolest photos of the year when it does.
We Need Your Help
Volunteer: We need parade helpers at the park and food servers at the Sunrise. See the full list of roles and times, and sign up, on the Volunteer page.
A photographer: We would love a volunteer to photograph the parade and Sunrise. Sign up on our SignUp Genius.
Donate breakfast: We serve a light grab-and-go breakfast at Sunrise: donuts, muffins, granola bars, Pop-Tarts, fruit cups, and drinks. Items on our Amazon Wish List help round out the spread.
Local businesses, this is an easy one. You do not have to feed the whole class or commit to anything ongoing. If a business wants to donate donuts or other breakfast items for even part of the group, that is welcome and appreciated. Email [email protected].
Water is always welcome. You never need to ask to donate water. We use it all year long.
Sign up to volunteer → | Sign up to donate → | Donate money → | Shop the Amazon list →
Questions? [email protected] | collegehound.com/community/afhs/seniors