Valdosta High School will celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2026 during its commencement ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 8:00 PM on Cleveland Field in historic Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
Graduating seniors will receive their tickets following graduation practice on Thursday, May 21, 2026. All guests must present a ticket for entry. No extra tickets will be available at Valdosta High School or the Valdosta Board of Education. Employees of Valdosta City Schools are welcome to attend with a valid VCS ID badge.
Stadium gates will open at 6:30 PM. All seating inside Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is available on a first-come, first-served basis, excluding designated reserved areas. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for parking, entry, and security screening.
Valdosta City Schools reminds all attendees that a clear bag policy will be enforced. Guests may bring one clear bag no larger than 12"x6"x12" or a one-gallon clear storage bag, along with a small clutch or purse for personal items. Full details are available at Valdosta City Schools Clear Bag Policy.
All guests will enter through one of three gates located on the home side of the stadium and must pass through weapons detection systems at each entry point. The gate closest to Slater Street will be reserved for graduates only.
Guests requiring handicap accessibility must enter on the home side of Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. Handicap parking will be available near the stadium, and guests are encouraged to review the event parking map for designated locations and access points.
Parking Information:
Handicap parking (with valid handicap decal or plate) will be available in the first two rows closest to the Valdosta Board of Education in the parking lot located at the corner of Ann and Williams Streets.
General parking will also be available in the Valdosta Board of Education lot in the rows closest to Ann Street.
Please note that the fireworks launch area will be located in the rear parking lot of the Valdosta Board of Education at the corner of Slater and Ann Streets. Vehicles parked near this area may experience particles or debris from the fireworks display.
Additional parking will be available at the VSU University Center on North Patterson Street.
Guests may also park in the VSU ground parking lot located at Oak Street and Brookwood Drive.
To help preserve the dignity of the ceremony and ensure every family and guest can hear and see their graduate cross the stage, attendees are asked to refrain from bringing celebratory items including, but not limited to:
Balloons
Flowers
Stuffed animals
Gifts
Oversized photos or cutouts (“Fatheads”)
Air horns or artificial noisemakers
Confetti poppers
Security personnel will be present throughout the event and will address any disruptions accordingly.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a celebratory fireworks display will take place. Guests should be aware that the presentation will include loud noises and bright flashes. For safety, designated fireworks zones surrounding the stadium will remain closed until event staff gives the all-clear.
The ceremony will also be streamed live on the Valdosta City Schools YouTube Channel for those unable to attend in person.
Valdosta City Schools congratulates the Class of 2026 and looks forward to celebrating this milestone achievement with students, families, and the community.
