Southern Colorado town honors its 7 graduating seniors with a parade

(Video: Denise Jones)

WALSH, Colo. (KRDO) -- The town of Walsh in Baca County might be small in size, but it knows how to go big. On Saturday, the town's seven graduating high school seniors were honored in a huge way -- with their own motor parade.

The seven graduates stood a few yards apart along the road, each behind their own craft table. As motorists passed by, some slowed down to let out a well-wisher, who would jog to a student's table to give them gifts and cards, and then jog back to their waiting driver.

Local first responders led the parade; firetrucks, police and EMS units flashed their lights and ran their sirens.

The turnout was excellent, said Denise Jones, an employee at Walsh High School and the parade's videographer. With a town population of just over 500, Jones estimates about a third came out to support their seniors.

And that wasn't the only exciting thing to happen that day. Prior to the parade, the Class of 2020 was surprised during their virtual graduation ceremony with a guest speaker: country singer Clare Dunn. A Baca County native, Dunn now lives in Nashville while pursuing her country music career.